SECRETARY-GENERAL OUTRAGED BY ANOTHER TERRORIST BOMBING IN LEBANON

SECRETARY-GENERAL OUTRAGED BY ANOTHER TERRORIST BOMBING IN LEBANON
New York, Dec 12 2007 3:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced outrage at yet another terrorist attack in Lebanon – this time a car bombing in Beirut that killed a senior member of the country's armed forces and at least one of his bodyguards.

Media reports say General Francois el-Hajj and his bodyguard died after the car in which they were travelling was destroyed when a bomb detonated in the eastern suburbs of Beirut this morning.

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns this act of violence and terror on the Lebanese Armed Forces, a symbol of Lebanon's sovereignty," his spokesperson said in a <"http://www.un.org/apps/sg/sgstats.asp?nid=2906">statement, noting that Mr. Ban also extended his condolences to the families of those killed, the armed forces and the Government.

"He reiterates his position that this and previous attacks aimed at undermining Lebanon's sovereignty are unacceptable. It is imperative that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to justice."

The bombing has taken place at a time of deep political tensions in Lebanon, where planned presidential elections have had to be postponed many times in recent months. Yesterday the Security Council issued a presidential statement voicing concern about the repeated delays.

Today's statement from Mr. Ban's spokesperson called on the Lebanese to show "calm and restraint at this critical juncture in their history. Their political leaders must exert every possible effort to resolve differences and arrive at a solution for an immediate presidential election, without conditionality, in accordance with constitutional rules."
2007-12-12 00:00:00.000

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