Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 5 January 1987 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon

to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary -General

Following my earlier letters about Israel's continued aggression and bombardment of towns, villages and farms in southern Lebanon, and on orders from my Government, I have the honour to inform you as follows:

1. On Friday, 9 January 1987, at 9.30 a.m., four Israeli warplanes bombed the district of Darb es Sim and the heights of Jaba1 el Halib in the outskirts of the township of Maghdoushe, while four more warplanes flew over the area. The bombing caused material and human losses in addition to frightening the unfortunate inhabitants, mostly elderly people, women and children.

2. On Sunday, 11 January 1987, at 8.40 p.m., the Israeli army used tanks to bombard the township and outskirts of Baraasheet, some dozen kilometres north of what is referred to as the "security zone", occupied by Israel in southern Lebanon. The shelling caused material and human losses, and one projectile struck the headquarters of the Irish contingent of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. One member of that contingent, Sergeant Dermot MacLaiqhlin (age 33), was killed. He is the second Irish soldier to be killed in two months by the Israeli army and its hirelings, notably the so-called "South Lebanese Army".

3. On Monday, 12 January 1987, at 1.15 p.m., the Israel Air Force bombed the south-eastern suburbs of Sidon, causing considerable damage to a large number of buildings, including one school, and affecting many civilians.

The Lebanese Government, which strongly condemns these savage acts of Israeli aggression, reiterates its warning about the consequences of repeated violations by Israel of Lebanese airspace, territory, and territorial waters, contrary to the rules and principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and resolutions of the Security Council.  The Lebanese Government once again demands that Israel desist from its policy of provoking a crisis in southern Lebanon and confrontations with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, and of preventing the return of security and stability to this troubled region.

I should be grateful if you would arrange for the text of this letter to be distributed as an official document of the General Assembly, under the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East", and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Rachid FAKHOURY

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

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