S/PV.5704 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: (spoke in English) “The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on 24 June near the town of Khiyam in south Lebanon, which targeted the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and killed six United Nations peacekeepers of the Spanish contingent. “The Security Council extends its deepest condolences to the families of those victims, who included Colombian nationals. “The Security Council notes the condemnation of this attack by the Government of Lebanon and commends the determination and commitment of the Government of Lebanon to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack. “The Security Council reaffirms its full support to the Lebanese Government and army in their efforts to ensure security and stability throughout Lebanon. “The Security Council appeals to all parties concerned to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel, including by avoiding any course of action that endangers United Nations personnel and by ensuring that UNIFIL is accorded full freedom of movement throughout its area of operations. “The Security Council reaffirms its full support to the UNIFIL in carrying out its mandate to assist in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and expresses its strong appreciation to Member States contributing troops.” (spoke in French) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2007/21. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.