Security Council Discusses Extending UNIFIL Mission, Lebanon Rejects US Conditions

The 15 member states of the Security Council principally approved on Tuesday UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's recommendation to extend the UNIFIL's mission for one year, that is until 31 August 2011, without adding any changes to its rules of engagement enrolled in resolution 1701.

The Security Council held a closed meeting to discuss this matter, where the French delegation presented a draft resolution, while the US delegation proposed suggestions on ways to facilitate the UNIFIL's movement in South Lebanon.

The US proposal also included preliminary and executive sections related to arm smuggling claims and maintaining the blue line between Lebanon and occupied Palestine. However, Lebanon rejected them because they contradict the articles of resolution 1701.

In the same context, a well-informed diplomatic source told As-Safir newspaper, "The US wants to change the resolution text to send a political message.

On his part, a source in the Lebanese delegation clarified, "The resolution text is now in Lebanon. The Americans want to inset changes, which we approve some and reject some others. However, we will receive the final reply from Lebanon."

"The Americans took the basic role in the call for inserting changes to the text of the resolution," the source added, indicating, "France is trying to help us, even though it has its own preservations, especially that the French soldiers were the ones involved in clashes with residents in the South last month."

The source pointed out, "France will present the resolution's text to the members of the council today after holding discussions with the Americans and the Lebanese, and voting will take place on Monday."

Furthermore, As-Safir reported that Western countries' representatives urged the UN to accelerate the investigations on the Odaisseh clashes.