3685th Meeting of Security Council: UNIFIL

Security Council extends mandate of UNIFIL until 31 January 1997, by Resolution 1968 (1996) adopted unanimously at the 3685th Security Council meeting.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 00:05:41
• Production Date: 30 July 1996
• Asset Language: Original; English; French; Spanish
• Personal Subject: ALAIN DEJAMMET
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON - UNIFIL
• Subject Topical: VIOLENCE
• Geographic Subject: LEBANON; MIDDLE EAST
• MAMS Id: 2419145
• Parent Id: 845421

Description

Presidential Statement Regrets Loss of Civilian Life.

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another six months, until 31 January 1997, condemned all acts of violence in particular against the Force and urged the parties to end them. The current mandate expires tomorrow, 31 July.

By resolution 1068 (1996), adopted unanimously, the Council reiterated its strong support for Lebanon's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence and called upon all parties concerned to fully cooperate with the Force for the full implementation of its mandate. The Secretary-General was requested by the Council to continue consultations with the Lebanese Government and other parties directly concerned with the implementation of the present resolution and report back to the Council.

The Council welcomed the completion of the streamlining of the Force as described in the Secretary-General's report and encouraged further efficiency and savings as long as they did not affect its operational capacity.

Also this morning, through a statement read by its President, Alain Dejammet (France), the Council expressed concern over the continuing violence in southern Lebanon and regretted the loss of civilian life. It urged all parties to exercise restraint and again stressed the urgent need for the full implementation of resolution 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978, which, among other things, called on Israel to immediately cease its military action against the territorial integrity of Lebanon and withdraw its forces from there.

Through this morning's presidential statement, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the full sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries. In that context, it asserted that all States should refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State or in any manner that violated the purposes of the United Nations.

The UNIFIL was established in March 1978 for an initial six-month period to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore international peace and security and help the Lebanese Government re-establish its authority in the area.

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3685

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE