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Letter dated 24 March 2005 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council
I have the honour to transmit herewith the report of the Mission of Inquiry into the Circumstances, Causes and Consequences of the 14 February Beirut Bombing, which was prepared pursuant to the statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/2005/4) of 15 February 2005.

This independently conducted fact-finding report presented to the Council today raises some very serious and troubling allegations. The Mission concludes that an independent international investigation is needed.

I endorse the Mission’s recommendation that such an investigation be established. The aim would be to reach conclusions as complete as possible about who was responsible for the assassination of Mr. Hariri and the deaths of 19 others.

I wish to thank Mr. Peter FitzGerald, head of the Mission, and the members of his team, for producing the report.

I should be grateful if you would bring this matter to the attention of the members of the Council. Meanwhile, I am also transmitting the report to the Government of Lebanon.

Lebanon is passing through a difficult and sensitive period. It is imperative that all concerned should behave with the utmost restraint. The future of Lebanon should be decided strictly through peaceful means.

(Signed) Kofi A. Annan