SecGen leaves Israel/Lebanon investigation group on way back - 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

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

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ANNAN ENDS VISIT TO MIDDLE EAST VISIT AMID RENEWED HOPE FOR PEACE

The Secretary-General has left Israel, and is on his way back to New York.
Last night, the Secretary-General wrapped up his trip in Israel at a dinner hosted by President Moshe Katsav, and said that the inauguration earlier that day of the Holocaust History Museum at Yad Vashem had been well-timed, coming at a time of renewed hope for peace in the Middle East.
The ceremony, he added, also occurs as Israel and the United Nations continue to build a new relationship. “There is a sense that Israel and the United Nations have rediscovered each other,” he said.
Before dinner, the Secretary-General met with the Speaker of the Knesset, Reuven Rivlin. The Speaker shared with the Secretary-General his views on the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.

U.N. TEAM ON HARIRI KILLING IS ON ITS WAY BACK TO NEW YORK

The team headed by Peter Fitzgerald that was to examine the circumstances, causes and consequences of the killing of former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri has finished its inquiry.
The team left Lebanon this morning, and members of the team are expected to arrive in New York on Thursday. The team hopes to report to the Secretary-General sometime next week.
Asked when the report by the team would come out, the Spokesman said that the results of their work will be conveyed to the Security Council by the Secretary-General, in a format that has not yet been decided.

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SecGen leaves Israel/Lebanon investigation group on way back – Noon Briefing – Spokesman’s Office (excerpts)