UNITED NATIONS: LEBANON'S PRESIDENT CALLS FOR THE RETURN OF ALL ISRAELI-OCCUPIED TERRITORIES ON SECOND DAY OF PALESTINE DEBATE

Record ID: 336873

  • Title: UNITED NATIONS: LEBANON'S PRESIDENT CALLS FOR THE RETURN OF ALL ISRAELI-OCCUPIED TERRITORIES ON SECOND DAY OF PALESTINE DEBATE
  • Date: 15th November 1974
  • Summary: 1. GV EXTERIOR United Nations building 0.14 2. CU Security guards outside UN checking passes (4 shots) 0.35 3. GV Lebanese President enters conference room and receives standing ovation from UN members 0.54 4. CU and GV Lebanese President speaking in French and delegates applaud 2.59 Initials OS/2028 OS/2042 Script is copyright Reut
  • Embargoed: 30th November 1974 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: UNITED NATIONS
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA9BVJ1TXH75HL6LO4D2H2Y8ICN
  • Story Text: Lebanese President Suleiman Freanieh told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday (14 November) that all territories conquered by force in the Middle East Just must be returned.

    He referred in particular to Jerusalem and said the occupation of the city should be sufficient to stir people's conscience on the fate of the Palestinians.

    President Franjieh said Israel had created a place of division and hatred out of a place where, for generations, Moslems, Christians and Jews had gathered to worship.

    He said the Holy City appeared to be one of the striking examples of Israel's refusal to bow to repeated United Nations resolutions.

    The Lebanese President said it was the United Nations' role now "to assert the rule of law, and ensure the triumph of justice."
    He also said a new war in the Middle East would endanger world peace.

    The Lebanese President was speaking on the second day of debate on the Palestine question which was opened by Yasser Arafat, leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation on Wednesday (13 November).

    SYNOPSIS: The United Nations General Assembly debated the Palestinian question for the second day on Thursday. The debate opened on Wednesday with an unprecedented address from the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Mr. Yasser Arafat, who arrived amidst extremely tight security, saying he came "bearing on olive branch and a freedom fighter's gun." On the second day, Lebanon's President Suleiman Franjieh was the only delegate scheduled to address the Assembly at its first meeting of the day. His speech came seven hours after Mr. Arafat had left New York for Cuba. When President Franjieh arrived on Sunday, he issued a statement saying that without the restoration of the rights of the Palestinians, real peace could not be achieved in the Middle East. This was the crux of his speech on Thursday.

    He went on to warn that a new round of war in the Middle East could endanger world peace. president franjieh also referred to the appearance of Mr. Arafat, saying the Assembly had finally heard the truth from those who knew, since they suffered more than most other people. He said the recognition of the Palestinian people and its representatives was accepting the truth. He hoped that the United Nations would go further in helping the Palestinians to fully recover their national rights. This, he added, was the realistic approach to the problem and the key to all prospects for a worthy and useful solution.
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