Japan calls for salvaging Middle East peace
Lebanon, Politics, 8/6/1998

Japan has underlined the importance of salvaging the Middle East peace process from its current impasse. Following his meeting with Lebanese Foreign Minister Fares Boueiz, the Japanese ambassador in Beirut said that his country is exerting efforts to find a solution to establishing peace in the region.

He, in this respect, noted the series of consultations Japan has held with officials in the region. The ambassador added that he "acquainted Boueiz with the results of these consultations."

Meanwhile, the chairman of the UN General Assembly, the Ukraine's Hennadiy Udovenko, on Wednesday stressed the need to implement UN resolution 425 providing for Israel's unconditional withdrawal from south Lebanon and western Bekaa. In a statement he made upon visiting Qana martyrs monument in south Lebanon, the UN official said that Lebanon will enjoy full security and stability only after Israel's withdrawal from its south according to UN resolution 425.

On the massacre committed by the Israeli occupation troops at Qana against Lebanese civilians and the Fijian contingent working within UNIFIL in April 1996, Udovenko said: "What had been made was a real carnage which is needed to be strongly condemned."

He praised UNIFIL's activities in keeping peace in south Lebanon, noting that his country seeks to take part with these troops and that it had applied to the UN secretary general in this regard.

Earlier Udovenko listened to one official from the Fijian contingent who offered explanations on the brutality of Qana massacre which resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Lebanese civilians.

In statements at UNIFIL headquarters, Udovenko said, "The Force continues to contribute in a very real and meaningful way to stability and to the protection of the civilian population."

Previous Stories:
  Report: Secret Israeli plan to withdraw from south Lebanon   (7/15/1998)
  Moratinos: EU refuses amendment of 425   (6/25/1998)
  Lebanese president, speaker praise Hariri's U.S. performance   (6/20/1998)

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