Adopting Resolution 2695 (2023), Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for One Year
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 August 2024, as speakers debated the matter of the Force being allowed access to some areas around the Blue Line.
Adopting resolution 2695 (2023) (to be issued as document S/RES/2695) — by a recorded vote of 13 in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation) — the Security Council decided to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL for a period of twelve months, until 31 August 2024.
By the text, the Council reiterated its call for the Government of Lebanon to present a plan to increase its naval capabilities as soon as possible, including with appropriate support from the international community, with the goal of ultimately decreasing UNIFIL’s Maritime Taskforce and transitioning its responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Further, the Council condemned all violations of the Blue Line — both by air and ground — and strongly called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law as well as the cessation of hostilities, to prevent any violation of the Blue Line and to respect it in its entirety, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL.
In addition, the Council reaffirmed that UNIFIL does not require prior authorization or permission to undertake its mandated tasks and that UNIFIL is authorized to conduct its operation independently.
It also urged all parties to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in resolution 1701 (2006) and Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from northern Ghajar and the adjacent area north of the Blue Line without further delay in coordination with UNIFIL.
By other terms, the Council commended UNIFIL’s operational changes to address misinformation and disinformation in line with resolution 2650 (2022).
After the adoption, Council members highlighted UNIFIL’s critical role in maintaining peace and stability across the Blue Line and preventing any further escalation, with many stressing the importance of the Interim Force’s unimpeded access, freedom of movement and the security of the peacekeepers.
On that note, the representative of the United Kingdom welcomed the language clarifying UNIFIL’s long-standing mandate to exercise freedom of movement that allows it to respond quickly to Blue Line violations. However, it is unacceptable that UNIFIL is unable to access some locations along the Blue Line border, particularly given Hizbullah’s self-acknowledged stockpiling of weapons, he stressed.
Adding to that, the United Arab Emirates’ representative warned that tensions on the Blue Line are at a level unseen since the 2006 war, with Hizbullah erecting observation towers, conducting military drills with live fire and preventing UNIFIL’s freedom of movement while brazenly attacking peacekeeping forces. “These extremely inflammatory actions threaten a dangerous escalation in our region”, she emphasized, calling on Lebanon to meet its responsibilities regarding UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.
For his part, Ghana’s delegate urged Israel and Lebanon to work towards a permanent ceasefire and to fully respect the Blue Line. Noting the urgency in consolidating the authority of the Lebanese armed forces and State security institutions over Lebanese territory, he underlined the need for an early, nationally oriented resolution of Lebanon’s political situation.
The representative of China, whose delegation abstained in the vote, meanwhile underscored that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State concerned is a basic prerequisite for peacekeeping operations. Accordingly, the Council should properly address the views and appeals of Lebanon, he asserted.
Echoing his stance, the Russian Federation’s representative said that his delegation abstained due to a “series of contentious changes introduced to the text in the final stages of the negotiating process”. His delegation nevertheless supports UNIFIL as a stabilizing factor along the Blue Line, he emphasized.
Rounding out the discussion, Lebanon’s delegate urged States to listen to her country’s concerns and cited the historic abstention of two Council members on the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate as “a very significant indicator”. She also voiced regret that the text failed to take into consideration her country’s sovereignty. Stressing the demand of having peacekeeping troops on the ground in Lebanon, she said that Beirut has never denounced the principle of UNIFIL’s freedom of movement.
Opposing language that “looks like resolutions under Chapter VII [of the Charter of the United Nations]”, she said the resolution to extend UNIFIL’s mandate is under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations — “a resolution that was prompted by a request from Lebanon, […] not imposed on Lebanon”. She emphasized that UNIFIL’s presence in South Lebanon is mainly prompted by an outstanding conflict between Lebanon and Israel.....
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15400.doc.htm
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