Security Council extends mandate of UN force in southern Lebanon

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for an extra year as it commended its role, in concert with the national armed forces, in creating a new strategic environment in the south of the country.

In resolution 1884, the Council welcomed “the expansion of coordinated activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese armed forces and encourages further enhancement of this cooperation.”

The 15-member reiterated its call on all concerned parties to respect the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah following their 2006 war, as well as the entirety of the Blue Line along their border.

UNIFIL, established in 1978, is tasked with ensuring that the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River is free of unauthorized weapons, personnel and assets, and it also cooperates with the Lebanese armed forces so they can fulfil their security responsibilities.

Today’s resolution also welcomed UNIFIL’s moves to implement Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse.

Addressing reporters, Philip John Parham, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, which holds the rotating Council presidency this month, said that unanimous adoption of the resolution extending the Force’s mandate “demonstrates the Council’s clear and strong support for the very valuable work UNIFIL is doing.”