SecGen-Quartet meeting/UN Mission of Inquiry - Noon Briefing - Spokesman's Office (excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SPOKESMAN'S NOON BRIEFING

BY FRED ECKHARD
SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

Friday, February 25, 2005

…

ANNAN TO MEET WITH MIDDLE EAST QUARTET IN LONDON

The Secretary-General will leave for London on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday morning he will address the London Meeting on Supporting the Palestinian Authority hosted by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In the afternoon, he will participate in a ministerial-level meeting of the Middle East “Quartet”, which also includes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
He is expected to have a number of bilateral meetings in the margins of the all-day conference.
He will then return to New York on Tuesday morning.

…

LEBANON: U.N. INVESTIGATIVE TEAM STARTS WORK TODAY

The UN Mission of Inquiry that is examining the February 14 Beirut bombing began its mission in Lebanon today. The head of the mission, Peter Fitzgerald, held warm and constructive meetings with Lebanese Interior Minister Suleiman Franjieh and Justice Minister Adnan Addoum, to discuss cooperation between his team and the Lebanese authorities.
Fitzgerald also met with the sons of the late former Prime Minister, Rafic Hariri, who was killed in the bombing, and expressed his condolences and sympathy.
Prior to those meetings, Fitzgerald issued a statement to the press, saying that his team understands the gravity of the task at hand and that it would work with absolute impartiality and professionalism. He promised that the team would carry out its mandate in a timely manner.
He said he looks forward to working closely with the Lebanese authorities and to learning about their progress “in investigating this terrible crime.”

Asked how many people were involved in the UN team, the Spokesman said it comprised five principals, as well as support staff. The team would start its work in Lebanon, he added, but could go elsewhere if it felt the need to do so. He noted that the mission has been welcomed by both Lebanon and Syria.

…

Office of the Spokesman for the Secretary-General
United Nations, S-378
New York, NY 10017
Tel. 212-963-7162 – press/media only
Fax. 212-963-7055

All other inquiries to be addressed to (212) 963-4475 or by e-mail to: inquiries@un.org

SecGen-Quartet meeting/UN Mission of Inquiry – Noon Briefing – Spokesman’s Office (excerpts)