Lebanon – Appointment of Mr. Tammam Salam as prime minister
Afghanistan – Death of 5 international coalition personnel
Gaza - Attacks on UNRWA headquarters
Lebanon – Appointment of Mr. Tammam Salam as prime minister
France welcomes the appointment of new Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, who won a broad consensus during the parliamentary consultations conducted by President Suleiman. This support is an encouraging sign.
This appointment must be followed as swiftly as possible by the formation of a government that will guarantee the proper functioning of the institutions and notably the holding of parliamentary elections within the constitutional deadlines, in the interest of Lebanon and its stability.
In these difficult times for Lebanon, France is attached to its stability and its sovereignty as well as the proper functioning of its institutions for which President Michel Suleiman is the guarantor.
Afghanistan – Death of 5 international coalition personnel
We were deeply shocked to learn of the death of 5 international coalition personnel working in Afghanistan on Saturday, April 6, during an attack in Zabul Province.
Three of these victims were American soldiers; the other two were civilians – an Afghan and an American diplomat working for the State Department. Four other State Department personnel were injured during this attack.
This was a barbaric act which we utterly condemn.
We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those who died and our thoughts also go out to the injured, to whom we wish a speedy recovery.
In these especially difficult circumstances, we commend the exceptional professionalism, selflessness and courage of the military and civilian personnel working in Afghanistan, where the international community will continue, through means that are evolving, to assist the Afghan authorities in the face of the challenges confronting their country.
Gaza - Attacks on UNRWA headquarters
France condemns the unacceptable attacks on the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza.
UNRWA’s activities must be respected and its personnel must be able to conduct their work safely.
France lends its full support to UNRWA’s activities in Gaza which mainly benefit the civilian populations.