29 August
2013 – The Security Council today extended the
mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force monitoring the
Israeli-Lebanese border by another year and called on all parties in the region
to abide with the cessation of hostilities and respect the safety of UNIFIL and
other UN personnel.
In a morning
meeting in New York, the Council agreed to extend the work of the UN Interim
Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
until 31 August 2014, as it condemned acts to threaten the country’s security
and stability, and reaffirmed its determination to ensure that no such acts of
intimidate will prevent UNIFIL form carrying out its mandate.
The
15-member body commended UNIFIL for helping to establish a “new strategic
environment in southern Lebanon” and called for further cooperation between the
interim force and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), particularly regarding
coordinated and adjacent patrols.
It also
urged the Government of Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from
northern Ghajar “without further delay”.
Established
in 1978, UNIFIL is tasked with ensuring that the area between the Blue Line and
the Litani River is free of unauthorized weapons, personnel and assets. It also
cooperates with the LAF so they can fulfil their security responsibilities.
In its
resolution, the Security Council also called for rapid finalization of the
investigation launched by Lebanon regarding the 27 May, 26 July and 9 December
2011 attacks, and to bring those responsible to justice.
The Council
also urged all parties “to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL is
fully respected and unimpeded” avoiding any course of action which endangers
the UN.
In addition,
the Council welcomed efforts undertaken by the UN mission to implement Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon’s zero-tolerance
police on sexual exploitation and abuse, and to ensure full compliance of its
personnel with the UN code of conduct.
In case of
improper action, the troop-contributing countries are urged to take preventive
and disciplinary action to property investigate and punish their personnel, the
Security Council wrote.
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