United Nations

NEW YORK, 5 September (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

 The Secretary-General wishes to extend his congratulations to Lebanon for successfully holding two rounds of parliamentary elections throughout the country, including in the South, where residents had their first opportunity to vote in over 20 years.  The holding of these elections is a testament to the significant progress the Government of Lebanon has made in re-establishing its effective authority in the South, and further serves to strengthen democracy in Lebanon.