For information only - not an official document.
Press Release No:  UNIS/SG/2536
Release Date:  5 April 2000
 Secretary-General Meets with Israel’s Foreign Minister in Geneva,
Welcomes Assurances on Southern Lebanon 

  NEW YORK, 4 April (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan was issued today by his Spokesman: 

 I was pleased to receive the Foreign Minister of Israel, David Levy, at his request in Geneva this afternoon. The Minister reaffirmed his Government’s decision to withdraw Israeli troops from southern Lebanon in accordance with Security Council resolution 425 (1978), fully and without conditions. The Minister informed me that the withdrawal will occur in “one go” by the end of July. The Minister assured me of his Government’s intention to cooperate fully with the United Nations throughout the process, within the framework of the relevant Security Council resolutions. The Minister and I agreed that cooperation by all
parties concerned would be needed in order to avoid any deterioration of the situation during the withdrawal. 

 I welcome these assurances from the Foreign Minister and look forward to a formal notification from the Government of Israel on this matter.
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