Mideast situation/Lebanon – EU statement – Letter from Portugal

Letter dated 10 May 2000 from the Permanent Representative of Portugal to the

United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to bring to your attention the statement on Lebanon issued on 6 May 2000 by the Presidency of the European Union on behalf of the European Union (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would have the text of this letter and its annex distributed as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) António Monteiro

Permanent Representative of Portugal

to the United Nations

Annex to the letter dated 10 May 2000 from the Permanent Representative of Portugal

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

[Original: English and French]

Statement on Lebanon issued on 6 May 2000 by the Presidency of the European Union

on behalf of the European Union

Deeply concerned at the recent evolution of the situation in Lebanon and northern Israel, the European Union appeals to all sides to refrain from further escalation and to observe the terms of the ceasefire understanding of April 1996.

The European Union expresses its sympathy to the injured and to bereaved families.

Recalling that the intensification of hostilities will serve only those who oppose a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and will bring with it the unnecessary suffering of innocent people, the European Union appeals to all sides to show the utmost restraint.