Mideast crisis – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 19 April 2002 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the

Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed

to the Secretary-General

On instructions from Mr. Mahmud Hammud, the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrés, I should like to state the following:

Lebanon, in its capacity as Chairman of the Arab Summit, expresses its extreme indignation at and condemnation of the savage practices and outrages perpetrated by Israeli forces during their occupation of Palestinian towns, villages and camps, and their use of weapons of various kinds against peaceful civilians, which brought about the deaths of hundreds of women, older persons and children, particularly in the Jenin refugee camp. Such practices are in violation of all international covenants and norms as well as international humanitarian law, the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Lebanon, in this same capacity, calls upon the Secretary-General of the United Nations to take urgent steps to establish a committee to investigate these violations and outrages committed by Israeli forces. It attaches considerable importance to receiving a favourable response from the United Nations and the Secretary-General to this request.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 42, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Houssam Diab

Chargé d’affaires a.i.

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