Mideast situation/Lebanon/Cease-fire – EU statement – Letter from Italy

Letter dated 27 April 1996 from the Chargé d'affaires a.i.

of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations

addressed to the Secretary-General

On behalf of the European Union, I have the honour to transmit to you herewith a declaration of the Presidency of the European Union on the cease-fire in Lebanon (see annex).

I would be grateful if you could have the text of the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda item 44, and of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Lorenzo FERRARIN

Deputy Permanent Representative

Chargé d'affaires a.i.     

ANNEX

[Original:  English and French]

Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the European Union

on the cease-fire in Lebanon

The European Union wishes to express its deep satisfaction for the cease-fire reached in Lebanon, hoping that it will put an end to violence, and that the peace negotiations will continue also on the Lebanese track, implementing Security Council resolution 425 (1978), and contributing to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the European Union has deployed all its efforts in order to give its contribution to end the hostilities and to avoid the escalation of the crisis.  The European Union reaffirms its commitment to pursue these diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace.

The European Union, while expressing its deep sorrow for the many victims among the civilians and for the material damage and suffering inflicted on the parties, intends to develop in direct consultations with the Lebanese authorities a European plan for the reconstruction of Lebanon and the emergency assistance for the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons.

Rome, 27 April 1996

—–