Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-31

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] FM addresses UNSC on former Lebanon PM's assassination

[02] Greece to host world school sport events in 2006

[01] FM addresses UNSC on former Lebanon PM's assassination

Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis addressed the UN Security Council's session on Monday on the issue of former Lebanon prime minister Rafik Hariri's assassination.

"Terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats against peace, freedom and human dignity," he said during the session which unanimously ratified a resolution on the issue by which Syria is called on to cooperate fully in the investigation of the issue.

"The terrorist attack on February 14 in Lebanon, which cost the life of the former prime minister of Lebanon Rafik Hariri and others, and injured a large number of people, upset the international community and threatened to destabilise Lebanon in a transitional period which was very difficult and sensitive," the foreign minister added.

He further said that "the international community reacted with a strong and unshakeable condemnation, as well as with the steadfast conviction that the perpetrators of this hideous act must be detected and brought before justice."

Molyviatis went on to say that "the resolution we have just adopted does not prejudge the oucome of the investigation. It does not have a penal nature but a supportive one. It aims primarily at helping and equipping the International Investigatory Committee with the necessary implements, and which has been created by the Council itself, to enable it to be in a position to carry out its mandate and complete its mission.

"The Council reiterates its demand for a full and unconditional cooperation, by all who are involved in this terrorist act, with the International Investigatory Committee and wants to ensure that this message will be heard clearly.

"Basing ourselves on recent statements by the Syrian government, we hope that Syria will cooperate fully and unconditionally with the International Investigatory Committee so that the perpetrators of this terrorist act will be detected and brought before justice, to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the issue and a new chapter in relations with Lebanon to begin."

Molyviatis also said that attention was also paid during the vote on the Security Council's unity in handling a very sensitive issue with serious repercssussions and on the need to maintain permanent peace and stability in the wider region.

[02] Greece to host world school sport events in 2006

The opening ceremony will be held at the Panathenian Stadium on June 27 and the closing ceremony at the Kaftantzoglio Stadium in Thessaloniki on July 3.

It is estimated that athletes from 80 countries will take part, with the overall number of those participating in the national missions (athletes, escorts, personnel etc.) reaching 5,000.

The minister said that only in the past 12 days, 26 countrries already declared that they will participate with full delegations.

Yiannakou stressed that the event is important, taking into account that school sport is a priority for the ministry in its preparation, but also is a priority for the General Sports Secretariat.

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