SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES CONCERN AT REPORTS OF FURTHER BOMBING

OF LEBANON FOLLOWING CEASE-FIRE

Calls Plight of Civilians 'Desperate';

Appeals for Co-operation in Humanitarian Effort

  

The following statement was made today by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General:

After reports this morning of a cease-fire in Lebanon, there have been continued reports of Israeli bombardment in the Beirut area and elsewhere. The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed at these reports, particularly in view of the unanimous demands of the Security Council in its resolution 509. The Secretary-General is also concerned at reported statements from the Israeli side that the present cease-fire does not apply to their actions against the Palestinians.

The Secretary-General has just received from Chairman Arafat a reconfirmation of his acceptance of Security Council resolutions 508 and 509.

The plight of the civilian population of the area in which hostilities have taken place is desperate. The Secretary-General, as previously announced, has already taken steps to mobilize an urgent humanitarian relief operation by the appropriate organizations and programmes of the Âé¶¹APP system and has been in touch with the Israeli Government in this regard.  He appeals for co-operation in this humanitarian effort, which is of the utmost urgency.  He also is appealing to Member States for the necessary assistance and resources.

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