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Annan Urges All Parties in Middle East to Exercise Maximum Restraint
U.N.Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Monday emphasized once again the vital need for all parties concerned in the Middle East to exercise maximum restraint both in their actions and in their public statements.
A statement issued by his spokesman's office said "The Secretary-General continues to follow very carefully events in south Lebanon."
"Recent developments on the ground have changed the situation fundamentally imperilling the plan that has been developed after consultations with the Governments concerned," the statement said.
"In these circumstances, it is essential that all concerned cooperate fully with the United Nations and ensure the security of U.N. personnel. The Secretary-General will be expecting explicit commitments in this regard," the statement said.
"The Secretary-General wants to emphasize once again the vital need for all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint both in their actions and in their public statements. Only in this way will it be possible for Resolution 425 to be implemented in an orderly manner and for the loss of yet more civilian lives to be avoided," the statement added.
Earlier today the U.N. chief submitted a report to the Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 425 of 1978 following the notification of Israel received on April 17 that it would withdraw all its troops from southern Lebanon by July.
The report indicates the U.N.'s plans for implementation and the requirements that will have to be met before the United Nations can confirm that Israel has completely withdrawn.
The report also stressed the cooperation that is required from Lebanon and other countries, particularly in the region, so that the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon can be redeployed and reinforced.
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