French Republic
Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy
France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. It joined the UN on October 24, 1945. Philippe Douste-Blazy was appointed France’s foreign minister in June 2005. Prior to that, he served as minister of health and social welfare. The following is excerpted from Minister Douste-Blazy’s speech at the 5,297th meeting of the UN Security Council on October 31, 2005.On February 14, 2005, former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and 22 others were assassinated in a cowardly terrorist attack in the heart of Beirut. We have solemnly gathered here today to reaffirm our resolve to seek the truth…
