SPAIN: Lebanese Prime Minister meets with Spanish counterpart to express condolences personally

Record ID: 644099

  • Title: SPAIN: Lebanese Prime Minister meets with Spanish counterpart to express condolences personally
  • Date: 29th June 2007
  • Summary: JOURNALISTS AWAITING MEDIA BRIEFING OUTSIDE PALACE LEBANESE, SPANISH AND EUROPEAN UNION FLAGS ZAPATERO AND SINIORA TAKING THE FLOOR AT THE PALACE DOORSTEPS PHOTOGRAPHER
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA853NIEBW23S5WL4QSEOTKV898
  • Story Text: Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met on Thursday (June 28) with Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, five days after a car bomb killed six Spanish troops in Lebanon.
    The U.N. peacekeepers, all aged from 18 to 21, were patrolling the normally tranquil road between Khiyam and Marjayoun near the Israeli town of Metulla when a car bomb struck their BMR vehicle.
    The leaders held a private meeting to discuss the investigation into the bomb that killed the U.N. soldiers and analyse the situation in Lebanon.
    During a media briefing held after the meeting, Zapatero stressed Spain's support for Lebanon despite the attack.
    "I have repeated to Prime Minister Siniora the Spanish commitment to the United Nations mission in Lebanon, the Spanish commitment to peace, security, independence and sovereignty in Lebanon. Lebanon is a key factor in achieving a peaceful and stable future in the Middle East," Spanish leader said.
    According to a statement issued by the Spanish Prime Minister's office ahead of the meeting, Siniora had decided to take advantage of a scheduled European tour to personally offer his condolences to Zapatero.
    "In front of these heinous attacks I really was very glad to hear immediately after a telephone call from Prime Minister Zapatero, this attack will not weaken the resolve of the Spanish government and the Spanish people," Siniora told reporters.
    "In times of hardship one has to go back to principles and to show its commitment to these principles. Lebanon like Spain, like many other countries who are really facing the challenges of terrorism, and in these times it is the duty of brave men to really stand fast and firm in front of the attacks of terrorists," he added.
    The attack on a Spanish patrol on Sunday (June 24) that killed the six peacekeepers and left two others wounded was the first deadly assault on the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) since last year's war between Israel and Lebanese Shi'ite Hezbollah guerrillas backed by Iran and Syria.
    A 13,000-strong UNIFIL force patrols the south and Lebanese coastal waters. Spain has 1,100 troops serving in Lebanon.
    UNIFIL has suffered 260 fatalities since it was first set up after an Israeli invasion in 1978. The dead include 250 troops, two military observers, four international and four local staff.
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