Letter from President Lula regarding situation in Lebanon
03 August 2006
Letter sent by President Luiz Inácio Lula da
Silva to the Secretary General of the United Nations,
Kofi Annan, on 3 August 2006.
Mr Secretary General,
The people of Brazil have been following events in the Middle East with deep concern. As you will be aware, Brazil is home to the largest number of people of Lebanese origin or ancestry outside Lebanon itself, and there is a large community of Brazilian nationals living in Lebanon. Brazil also contains a significant Jewish community, and there are numerous Brazilians living in Israel. It is a source of pride and satisfaction that Jews and Arabs are able to live together harmoniously in Brazil.
The violence against civilians in the region has claimed the lives of seven Brazilians, including one child. We fiercely oppose terrorism, whatever its supposed justification, but we are also compelled to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the disproportionate response and the excessive use of force that have resulted in the deaths of large numbers of civilians, including women and children, and the destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructure.
The attacks that led to the deaths of four observers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were equally a cause for profound consternation. I wish to convey my condolences to the families of the victims, and to express my solidarity with all UN personnel.
I support the calls for an immediate ceasefire, which is a prerequisite of efforts to establish a negotiated, fair and lasting peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
It is vital that the Security Council acts swiftly in order to put an end to the conflict.
Brazil supports diplomatic initiatives conducive to the immediate cessation of hostilities. The Minister of External Relations, Celso Amorim, is in contact with the other participants in the discussions. I am also sending Brazil’s Special Ambassador to the Middle East, Affonso Celso de Ouro-Preto, to a number of countries in the region in order to express our support for a solution to the conflict.
I take this opportunity to renew the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration.
Mr Secretary General,
The people of Brazil have been following events in the Middle East with deep concern. As you will be aware, Brazil is home to the largest number of people of Lebanese origin or ancestry outside Lebanon itself, and there is a large community of Brazilian nationals living in Lebanon. Brazil also contains a significant Jewish community, and there are numerous Brazilians living in Israel. It is a source of pride and satisfaction that Jews and Arabs are able to live together harmoniously in Brazil.
The violence against civilians in the region has claimed the lives of seven Brazilians, including one child. We fiercely oppose terrorism, whatever its supposed justification, but we are also compelled to condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the disproportionate response and the excessive use of force that have resulted in the deaths of large numbers of civilians, including women and children, and the destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructure.
The attacks that led to the deaths of four observers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were equally a cause for profound consternation. I wish to convey my condolences to the families of the victims, and to express my solidarity with all UN personnel.
I support the calls for an immediate ceasefire, which is a prerequisite of efforts to establish a negotiated, fair and lasting peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
It is vital that the Security Council acts swiftly in order to put an end to the conflict.
Brazil supports diplomatic initiatives conducive to the immediate cessation of hostilities. The Minister of External Relations, Celso Amorim, is in contact with the other participants in the discussions. I am also sending Brazil’s Special Ambassador to the Middle East, Affonso Celso de Ouro-Preto, to a number of countries in the region in order to express our support for a solution to the conflict.
I take this opportunity to renew the assurances of my highest esteem and consideration.