Situation in the Mideast – Letter from Lebanon

Identical letters dated 18 July 2006 from the Chargé d’affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of Lebanon to the United Nations

addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the

Security Council

On instructions from my Government, I have the honour to inform you that the Israeli aggression against Lebanon which began on 12 July 2006 escalated seriously today, 18 July 2006, with the attack on a barracks of the Lebanese army situated at Djamhour, in an area located some 100 kilometres from the southern border. Fifteen soldiers were killed and 40 others injured in this attack which was launched with no discernible justification. The Lebanese army is the principal institution representing the unity of Lebanon and has an important role to play in the period ahead. The Israeli Government has repeatedly called for the Lebanese army to be deployed on the border to put an end to the tensions that existed in the past, which raises questions about Israel’s intentions and designs in the wake of this criminal operation.

I should be grateful if you would arrange for the text of this letter to be circulated as a document of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly, under agenda item 14, and of the Security Council.

(Signed) Caroline Ziade

Chargé d’affaires a.i.