SG/SM/8918

7 October 2003

SECRETARY-GENERAL STRONGLY DEPLORES
ISRAELI AIR STRIKE ON SYRIAN TERRITORY

  NEW YORK, 6 October (UN Headquarters) -- Following is a statement issued on 5 October by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General strongly deplores the Israeli air strike on Syrian territory earlier today.  He is especially concerned that this further escalation of an already tense and difficult situation has the potential to broaden the scope of current conflicts in the Middle East, further threatening regional peace and security.  The Secretary-General urges all concerned to respect the rules of international law and to exercise restraint.

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