Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from PM of Lebanon – Letter fro Lebanon

Letter dated 31 January 2000 from the Permanent Representative of

Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General

I have the honour to enclose herewith an urgent letter, addressed to you by Salim El Hoss, President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon (see annex).

In view of the gravity of the situation, I should be grateful if you would give the issue described in the letter your most urgent attention so as to prevent the occupying Israeli forces from further persisting with their illegitimate plans of redrawing the frontiers in the south of Lebanon in a manner that violates the internationally recognized borders of Lebanon.

I further have the honour to request that the enclosed letter be circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 43, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Selim TADMOURY     

Ambassador       

Permanent Representative

ANNEX

[Original:  Arabic]

Letter dated 31 January 2000 from the Prime Minister of Lebanon

addressed to the Secretary-General

I should like to call your attention to the gravity of the new situation emerging in the area of Lebanon's southern borders with Israel.  Since the Barak Government announced its wish to withdraw from Lebanon, it has ordered the Israeli army to engage in actions that may result in Lebanon's southern boundaries being redrawn.

Israel's actions are in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law.  They constitute a shameful attack on Lebanon's sovereignty and on its internationally recognized borders and are manifestly contrary to the requirements of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

I request you to take the measures authorized under the Charter in order to deter Israel from persisting in its infringements of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, to draw the attention of the Security Council to the dangerous character of Israeli practices and to have this letter circulated as a United Nations document.

(Signed)  Salim EL-HOSS

 Prime Minister

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