Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Lebanon

Letter dated 17 March 1988 from the Permanent Representative of

Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

On instructions from my Government and further to my previous letters, I have the honour to inform you that, today, 17 March, Israel carried out a new attack on Lebanese territory, the second of its kind in one week. At 1135 hours (local time) , Israeli air force aircraft bombed the town of Aïnab, which is located approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Beirut. This resulted in the destruction of a building over the heads of its inhabitants; one person was killed, and three others, including an 18-month-old child suffered extensive wounds.

The Lebanese Government, as it renews its vehement condemnation of the criminal acts of aggression carried out by Israel against peaceful Lebanese villages and towns, draws the attention of international public opinion to Israel's insistence on pursuing the bloody policy of terrorism anywhere in Lebanon, even though it be dozens of kilometres from its international frontiers, and on violating human values and customs without any regard for human lives, property and security.

Israel's justification of its actions by the pretext of combating terrorism is dangerous logic in international relations and is a manifestation of the racism on which Israel is based, which has no regard for the rights of others. This has led to the killing of hundreds of Lebanese and persons residing in Lebanese territory and has so far gone undeterred and unpunished.

The fresh Israeli attack is another example of the destructive  policy followed by Israel in the Middle East region, which constitutes a constant  threat to peace and security at the regional and international levels.

I request that this letter be circulated as an official document of the General Assembly, under item 40 of the preliminary list, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Rachid FAKHOURY

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

______________

*A/43/50.