Middle East situation/Lebanon/Assassination of President Moawad – SecCo President statement – SecCo President note

NOTE BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Following consultations with the members of the Security Council, the President of the Council made the following statement, on behalf of the Council, at its 2894th meeting, on 22 November 1989, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East".

"The members of the Security Council express their deep indignation and dismay over the assassination of Mr. René Moawad, President of the Lebanese Republic, earlier today in Beirut.  They express their sympathy and condolences to the family of the late President, to the Prime Minister and to the Lebanese people.

"The members of the Security Council strongly condemn this cowardly, criminal and terrorist act for what it is, an attack upon the unity of Lebanon, the democratic processes and the process of national reconciliation.

"The members of the Security Council recall their statement of 7 November 1989, and reaffirm their support for the efforts undertaken by the Tripartite High Committee of the League of Arab States and for the Taif agreement.  These remain the only basis for guaranteeing the full sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Lebanon.

"The members of the Security Council reiterate their call of 7 November 1989 to all sectors of the Lebanese people to continue the process of achieving the goals of the restoration of the Lebanese State and the establishment of renovated institutions that had started with the election of President Moawad and the appointment of Prime Minister Selim El-Hoss.  Democratic Lebanese institutions must be strongly supported and the process of national reconciliation must go forward.  This is the only way that Lebanese national unity can be fully restored.

"The members of the Security Council solemnly reaffirm their support for the Taif agreement, ratified by the Lebanese Parliament on 5 November 1989.  In this regard, they urge all Lebanese people to exercise restraint, to rededicate themselves to the urgent task of national reconciliation and to demonstrate their commitment to democratic processes.

"The members of the Security Council are convinced that all those who seek to divide the people of Lebanon through such cowardly, criminal and terrorist acts of violence cannot, and will not, succeed."

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