Al-Hoss meets with UN Security Council five permanent member states
Lebanese Premier and foreign minister Salim al-Hoss stressed that Lebanon will not give up Shabaa farms.
In his meeting in Beirut on Monday with the ambassadors of the UN Security Council five permanent member-states accredited in Beirut, al-Hoss said that Lebanon's sovereignty over Shabaa farms are proved in documents included in his memorandum to the UN Secretary general Kofi Annan.
Al-Hoss stressed that Lebanon refuses to link the fate of these farms to UN resolution 242 and to put it under negotiations as sought by Israel.
He remarked that UN resolutions 425 and 426 state the need for making consultation with Lebanon in every matter pertinent to the UN forces.
Al-Hoss explained to the ambassadors the memorandum he sent to the UN chief in which he proved in official documents that Shabaa farms are Lebanese territories and that Israel's withdrawal from South Lebanon should cover these farms so as UN resolution 425 will be considered implemented, otherwise the Israeli withdrawal will be a sort of redeployment inside the Lebanese territories.
Al-Hoss asked the ambassadors to convey this " very Lebanese stand" to their countries as to be familiar with the heart of the matter and not to be deceived by Israel in its attempts to violate UN security council resolution 425.
Following his meeting with al-Hoss, the US ambassador to Lebanon David Satter- Field expressed his country's total backing to the efforts exerted by the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He added " we want a full implementation of UN resolution no 425 in a secure way that wins the backing of all sides, noting that he received from al-Hoss a copy of the report al-Hoss had sent to the United Nations.
Satter-Field added this " issue is studies by the UN chief and his Aides."
Replying to a question on Lebanon's assertion that Shabaa farms are Lebanese territories, Satter Field said " this matter related to the Lebanese government, Lebanon's sovereignty and means of implementing UN resolution 425." Satter Field said he prefers such question to be addressed to the UN chief Kofi Annan.
For his part, the Russian Ambassador to Beirut Boris Bultin said it is very necessary to have an Israeli withdrawal until the internationally recognized borders, and stressed that Russia sides with the international legitimacy.
The French ambassador in Lebanon said he will convey to his government the documents presented to him by the Lebanese Premier, indicating that the UN chief is the one to decide on the Shabaa farm and stressing that the Lebanese claim over Shabaa farms are strong and founded on proved documents.