Security Council Extends UNIFIL’s Mission without Changes

The Security Council extended the UNIFIL's mission in South Lebanon for one year, under the 1937 resolution issued by the United States and France and adopted by the 15 country members.

The resolution extended the UN forces' presence in South Lebanon until 31 August 2011 without changes in its duties listed in the 1701 resolution or in the rules of engagement and its special operations.

The resolution praised the positive role these forces played in assistance with the Lebanese armed forces to spread a new strategic atmosphere in South Lebanon, and called on the concerned parts to stop aggressions and violations of the blue line.
On the other hand, the Security Council denounced the accidents the UNIFIL faced pointing out the importance of enabling the forces to do their job.

In the same context, As-Safir newspaper reported, "The most prominent modification demanded by the United States was related to the complete prohibition of selling or importing arms and related materials based on the 1701 resolution, and so it encouraged increased arrangement between the UN forces and the Lebanese army."

On his part, the Lebanese envoy to the UN Nawwaf Salam assured, "The text listing the UNIFIL's mission in its current form suits the Lebanese side," and considered, "Lebanon accomplished what it needed, and that is extending the UNIFIL's mission without adding any modification to it."

In an interview with As-Safir newspaper, Salam Clarified, "The Lebanese side insists on including a text in the resolution that urges the "Israeli" government to hasten retreating its army from North of the Ghajar village in arrangement with the UN forces.