Situation in the OPT/Hebron/UNIFIL – SecCo meeting – Verbatim record

PROVISIONAL VERBATIM RECORD OF THE THREE THOUSAND

THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIRST MEETING

Held at Headquarters, New York,

on Friday, 28 January 1994, at 12 noon

Corrections should be submitted to original speeches only.  They should be sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned, within one week, to the Chief, Official Records Editing Section, Office of Conference Services, room DC2-794, 2 United Nations Plaza, and incorporated in a copy of the record.

The meeting was called to order at 12.25 p.m.

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

The agenda was adopted.

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS INTERIM

FORCE IN LEBANON (S/1994/62)

The PRESIDENT:  The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda.

The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations.

Members of the Council have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for the period from 21 July 1993 to 20 January 1994; this report is contained in document S/1994/62.

Members of the Council also have before them document S/1994/92, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations.

I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to document S/1994/30, which contains the text of a letter dated 13 January 1994 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General.

It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it in document S/1994/92.  Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There being no objection, it is so decided.

A vote was taken by show of hands.

In favour:Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Djibouti, France, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America.

The PRESIDENT:  There were 15 votes in favour.  The draft resolution has therefore been adopted unanimously as resolution 895 (1994).

Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council:

"The members of the Security Council have noted with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (S/1994/62) submitted in conformity with resolution 852 (1993) of 28 July 1993.

"They reaffirm their commitment to the full sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries.  In this context, they assert that any State shall refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.

"As the Security Council extends the mandate of UNIFIL for a further interim period on the basis of resolution 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978, the members of the Council again stress the urgent need for the implementation of that resolution in all its aspects.  They reiterate their full support for the Taif Agreement and for the continued efforts of the Lebanese Government to consolidate peace, national unity and security in the country, while successfully carrying out the reconstruction process.  The members of the Council commend the Lebanese Government for its successful efforts to extend its authority in the south of the country in full coordination with UNIFIL.

"The members of the Security Council express their concern over the continuing violence in southern Lebanon, regret the loss of civilian life and urge all parties to exercise restraint.

"The members of the Security Council take this opportunity to express their appreciation for the continuing efforts of the Secretary-General and his staff in this regard and commend UNIFIL's troops and troop-contributing countries for their sacrifices and commitment to the cause of international peace and security under difficult circumstances."

This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1994/5.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.

The meeting rose at 12:30 p.m.