8338th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Middle East

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2433 (2018), Security Council extends mandate of United Nations Force in Lebanon, calls on government to increase naval capacity at 8338th meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 00:11:55
• Production Date: 30 August 2018
• Asset Language: Arabic; Chinese; English; French; Russian; Spanish
• Personal Subject: KAREN PIERCE
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON - UNIFIL
• Subject Topical: ARMED FORCES; ARMS EMBARGO; MARITIME TRANSPORT; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS; SOVEREIGNTY
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON
• MAMS Id: 2224812
• Parent Id: 2224584

Description

The Security Council extended today the mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 August 2019, calling on that Government to develop a plan to increase its naval capabilities, with the goal of decreasing the Mission’s Maritime Taskforce and transitioning activities to the country’s armed forces.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2433 (2018), the Council requested the Secretary-General to present an assessment with recommendations on the matter within six months, encouraging Lebanon to deploy a model regiment and an offshore patrol vessel in UNIFIL’s area of operations as a way to advance implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and Government authority.

By other terms, the Council reaffirmed the need for effective deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon and in territorial waters at an accelerated pace, recalling its request for precise timelines to be jointly and promptly elaborated by the Forces and the Secretary-General for those deployments.

Regarding UNIFIL, the Council, through the text, stressed the need to improve its management of civilian resources by fostering cooperation with the Special Coordinator for the country. It requested the Secretary-General to provide such recommendations by 31 December, urging all parties to ensure that UNIFIL’s freedom of movement and access to the Blue Line, in all its parts, is fully respected and unimpeded.

Requesting the Secretary-General and troop-contributing countries to seek to increase the number of women in UNIFIL, the Council also asked the Interim Force to enhance reporting on women’s involvement and representation in all levels of decision-making.

Following the adoption, Anne Gueguen (France) said UNIFIL’s mandate must be maintained, as it was an essential stabilizing force in the region, monitoring the cessation of hostilities and deterring violence. Describing UNIFIL as a regional public asset, she said its free movement is essential to stability in an area criss-crossed by crises, as it supports the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces, whose presence is instrumental to creating the conditions for lasting stability. UNIFIL must continue to support Lebanon’s Navy as it deals with myriad challenges, she said, emphasizing the importance of the Interim Force’s neutrality.

Rodney M. Hunter (United States) said maintaining peace and stability is of paramount importance, underscoring the critical need to ensure UNIFIL’s freedom of movement and access along the Blue Line. It is unacceptable that Hizbullah continues to disregard the critical arms embargo. Highlighting the importance of language in the resolution regarding the Maritime Taskforce, he urged the international community to continue to support the strengthening and expansion of Lebanon’s Navy. UNIFIL must remain an effective mission.

Vassily A. Nebenzia (Russian Federation) said UNIFIL peacekeepers are having a stabilizing effect along the Blue Line and the Middle East as a whole. The Force should be preserved and attempts to transform it into a politicized institution avoided. Its goal should never be to replace Lebanon’s institutions, he said, stressing the need to bear in mind the wishes and priorities of the Lebanese Government.

Wu Haitao (China) said UNIFIL continued to fulfil its mandate, making an important contribution to maintaining general calm. Its mandate extension is conducive to maintaining that stability and to the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), he said, urging the international community to provide political support to UNIFIL and the necessary resources to ensure it has the capacity to perform its duties.

Karen Pierce (United Kingdom), Council president for August, spoke in her national capacity to commend UNIFIL for helping to maintain calm and stability along the Blue Line. She called on all parties to respect its mandate and the Blue Line itself, noting that, through the text, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and condemned all violations along the Blue Line. She looked forward to receiving the outcomes requested on decreasing the Maritime Taskforce and transitioning responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The meeting began at 3:01 p.m. and ended at 3:12 p.m.