Situation in Palestine – Presence of Lebanese troops – Communication between SecCo President and Lebanese Foreign Minister

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CABLEGRAM DATED 18 MAY 1948 FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADDRESSED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF LEBANON, AND REPLY THERETO SUBMITTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF LEBANON AT THE 301ST MEETING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL

THE SECURITY COUNCIL AT ITS 295TH MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY DECIDED TO ADDRESS TO YOUR GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING QUESTIONS QUOTE

(a) ARE ARMED ELEMENTS OF YOUR ARMED FORCES OR IRREGULAR FORCES SPONSORED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT NOW OPERATING (1) IN PALESTINE, (2) IN AREAS (TOWNS, CITIES, DISTRICTS) OF PALESTINE WHERE THE JEWS ARE IN THE MAJORITY?

(b) IF SO, WHERE ARE SUCH FORCES NOW LOCATED AND UNDER WHAT COMMAND ARE THEY OPERATING, AND WHAT ARE THEIR MILITARY OBJECTIVES?

(c) ON WHAT BASIS IS IT CLAIMED THAT SUCH FORCES ARE ENTITLED TO ENTER (1) PALESTINE, (2) AREAS (TOWNS, CITIES, DISTRICTS) OF PALESTINE WHERE THE JEWS ARE IN THE MAJORITY, AND CONDUCT OPERATIONS THERE?

(d) WHO IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXERCISE OF POLITICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE AREAS OF PALESTINE WHERE THE ARABS ARE IN THE MAJORITY?

(e) IS SUCH AUTHORITY NOW NEGOTIATING WITH JEWISH AUTHORITIES ON A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN PALESTINE?

(f) HAVE THE JEWISH FORCES VIOLATED YOUR FRONTIERS AND PENETRATED YOUR TERRITORY?

REPLY

Mr. President, I have the honour to submit to the Security Council on behalf of H.E. the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, the following answers to the cablegram sent to him by the President of the Council on May 18, 1948.  The Government and the people of Lebanon consider Palestine as a single territorial and political entity with an overwhelming Arab majority.  Without prejudice to this principle, the replies are as follows:

Question (a): The reply of my Government to this question is:

1) Armed forces of Lebanon are operating in Lebanon.

2) No armed forces are operating at present in areas (towns, cities, districts) of Palestine where Jews are in the majority.

Question (b): The reply of my Government to this question is:  They are operating in northern Palestine.  Their military objectives are to help pacify Palestine in cooperation with the forces of other States of the Arab League, as stated in the memorandum of the Secretary-General of the Arab League on May 1 (document S/745).

Question (c): The reply of my Government to this question is:  The answer to the first and second part is fully stated in the memorandum which I have just referred to.  We refer in particular to paragraph E, page 4 (S/745).

Question (d): The reply of my Government to this question is:   The League of Arab States is responsible for the exercise of political functions in any and all parts of Palestine.  We also refer in particular to paragraph E, page 4 (S/745).

Question (e): The reply of my Government to this question is:  The League of Arab States is not now negotiating with the Jews on a political settlement in Palestine and will not enter into such negotiations so long as the Jews persist in their intention and their efforts to establish a Jewish state in Palestine.

Question (f): The reply of my Government to this question is:  Zionist armed bands violated the Lebanese frontiers on the night of 14 and 15 May, 1948, before the Lebanese forces entered Palestine.  On several occasions these bands have made incursions into Lebanon and twice landed armed men from the seas behind our frontiers and have blown bridges.  These acts have been perpetrated against our territory both before and after the termination of the mandate.

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