LEBANON: UNITED NATIONS ENVOY MEETS HIZBOLLAH LEADER IN BEIRUT.

Record ID: 338374

  • Title: LEBANON: UNITED NATIONS ENVOY MEETS HIZBOLLAH LEADER IN BEIRUT.
  • Date: 5th September 2000
  • Summary: BEIRUT, LEBANON (SEPTEMBER 4, 2000) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV/MV/PAN: UNITED NATIONS ENVOY BENON SEVAN MEETING HIZBOLLAH LEADER SHEIKH HASSAN NASRALLAH AT THE GROUP'S HQ IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS OF BEIRUT (4 SHOTS) 0.19 2. CU: SOUNDBITE(English) SEVAN SAYING AFTER THE MEETING: "We are working with all concerned to be helpful and try to resolve the issues of the missing persons.The best thing to do is to have quiet diplomacy, because the matter is very sensitive and one has to bear in mind the sorrow of all the families who have missing child, brother or husband. Therefore, we have to work fast."/ WIDE OF SEVAN AND JOURNALISTS 0.55 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 20th September 2000 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BEIRUT, LEBANON
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Reuters ID: LVA5WBYBN3U40SB5CHQD1X72J3C6
  • Story Text: United Nations envoy Benon Sevan had a meeting with the
    leader of Hizbollah in Beirut on Monday to discuss the fate of
    Lebanese who are either detained by, or missing in, Israel.



    Sevan, who is the U.N. coordinator for detainees and
    missing persons, told reporters after meeting Hizbollah leader
    Hassan Nasrallah that quiet diplomacy was the best way to
    resolve this sensitive issue.

    "We are working with all concerned to resolve the issue of
    missing persons, detainees and persons whose bodies have yet
    to be recovered," said Sevan, who is also in charge of the
    U.N. oil-for-food programme in Iraq.

    Sevan's visit came a month after relatives of 19 prisoners
    held by Israel for more than a decade sent an letter to U.N.

    Secretary-General Kofi Annan last month, urging him to help
    secure the release of their kin.

    They criticised the United Nations for endorsing Israel's
    withdrawal from Lebanon on May 24, without ensuring the return
    of the prisoners.

    Hizbollah guerrillas forced Israel to end its 22-year
    occupation of south Lebanon.

    Nasrallah has vowed to continue fighting Israel, until it
    frees all Lebanese prisoners, including Hizbollah cleric,
    Abdel Karim Obeid.

    (tw/lh)


    REUTERS
    041543 GMT sep 00
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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