NEW YORK (IRNA) --Iranian ambassador to United Nations Mansur Sadeghi asked the United Nations Security Council to urge Israel to release four Iranian diplomats it kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982.

He said in his address to an open debate on grave situation in the Middle East led by Under-Secretary General for political affairs Mr. Lynn Pascoe for briefing the Security Council that 26 years ago at this month an Israeli-sponsored paramilitary group abducted four Iranian diplomats in Lebanon during the Israeli occupation of the country.
“As we have already communicated to you through the UN Secretary General, on 5th of July 1982, during the invasion of Lebanon and the occupation of Beirut by the Israeli regime, three members of the staff of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Beirut as well as an Iranian journalist were abducted in Lebanon while returning, by a diplomatic vehicle, from Syria to the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in west Beirut. There are various news reports and numerous signs well indicating that the said Iranian officials were immediately handed over to the Israeli military forces after their abduction, as Beirut had been occupied by the Israeli forces at the time.”
He said that the reports further indicated that the abducted Iranian officials were subsequently taken to the Israeli prisons and have been since then under the captivity of the Israeli regime.
“This illegal and inhumane act is against the most fundamental international rules and principles, and also contravenes numerous United Nations resolutions.”
“The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is of the strong view that the Israeli regime is responsible for this abduction and for the fate of the said Iranian diplomats and journalist,” the ambassador said.
“We call on the Security Council to take appropriate action to help secure their release and safe return home after many years of their illegal abduction and detention,” Sadeghi said.