Middle East
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
The Security Council continued to consider the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on a regular basis, with monthly briefings by senior Secretariat staff. The Council held seven open debates on the situation in the Middle East, two of which were at ministerial level.
On 11 November 2006, a draft resolution (S/2006/878) introduced by the delegation of Qatar was put to the vote, but was not adopted owing to the negative vote of the United States of America, a permanent member. There were 10 votes in favour of the draft resolution (Argentina, China, Congo, France, Ghana, Greece, Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, United Republic of Tanzania) and 4 abstentions (Denmark, Japan, Slovakia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
On 6 December, the Council issued a statement to the press in which it welcomed the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority establishing a mutual ceasefire in Gaza and hoped that it would lead to a period of sustained calm.
On 12 December, subsequent to an open debate, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2006/51), in which inter alia it expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East and its serious ramifications for peace and security, and underlined the need to intensify efforts to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region, based on all relevant Council resolutions. It also reaffirmed the vital role of the Quartet.
In December, a comprehensive report of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Middle East and the peace process during the previous 10 years (S/2006/956) was before the Council. The Secretary-General reported to the Council that tensions in the Middle East were near the breaking point and that attaining a final settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict had defeated the best efforts of several generations of world leaders. He warned that the region was in a profound crisis owing to deep mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians. He stated that the failure to achieve a just and comprehensive solution to the long-festering Arab-Israeli conflict remained the main underlying source of frustration and instability in the region. He called on both parties to recognize in each other the desire to resolve the conflict.
The Council also received briefings from the Secretary-General on his visits to the region and was updated on the activities of the Quartet.
Lebanon
/…
On 18 July, in consultations of the whole, the Council heard two briefings, one by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Michael Williams, on the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) (S/2007/392) and the report of the Lebanon Independent Border Assessment Team (S/2007/382), and the other by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations on the work of UNIFIL. The members of the Council reiterated the importance of the full implementation of all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) and expected all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the Council and the Secretary-General to achieve a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisioned in the resolution.
Implementation of resolution 1559 (2004)
On 30 October 2006, in consultations of the whole, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004), Terje Roed-Larsen, briefed the Council on the latest report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of that resolution (S/2006/832). Following the consultations, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2006/43), in which it reaffirmed its support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon and commended the Government for extending its authority throughout the whole of Lebanese territory, particularly in the south.
On 11 June 2007, the Council held consultations of the whole with the Special Envoy. Following the meeting, the Council adopted a presidential statement (S/PRST/2007/17) reiterating its deep concern at mounting information by Israel and other States of illegal movements of arms into Lebanon, in particular across the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Council regretted that some provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) had yet to be fully implemented, particularly the disbanding and disarming of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias and strict respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon. The Council also condemned the ongoing criminal and terrorist acts in Lebanon, including those perpetrated by Fatah al-Islam, and underlined the need to protect and assist civilians, among them the Palestinian refugees.
|
Symbol |
Date submitted |
In response to |
|
S/2006/748 |
19 September 2006 |
General Assembly resolution 60/39 |
|
S/2006/718 |
1 August 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Malaysia to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/608 |
3 August 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Malaysia to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/613 |
3 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/623 |
7 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/650 |
9 August 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Azerbaijan to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/641 |
11 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/659 |
16 August 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Costa Rica to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/669 |
21 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/676 |
21 August 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/694 |
25 August 2006 |
Letter from the representative of El Salvador to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/696 |
28 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/700 |
30 August 2006 |
Letter from the observer of the League of Arab States to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/704 |
31 August 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/780 |
19 September 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/752 |
21 September 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/798 |
3 October 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/788 |
4 October 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/808 |
12 October 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/818 |
16 October 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/827 |
17 October 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/843 |
25 October 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/858 |
1 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/862 |
3 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/868 |
6 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Qatar to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/869 |
7 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Azerbaijan to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/871 |
8 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/872 |
8 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/873 |
8 November 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/876 |
9 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/882 |
9 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/886 |
13 November 2006 |
Letter from the observer of the League of Arab States to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/887 |
14 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/891 |
15 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/904 |
20 November 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/916 |
22 November 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/925 |
29 November 2006 |
Letter from the representative of the Russian Federation to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/941 |
5 December 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/949 |
7 December 2006 |
Letter from the representative of the United Arab Emirates to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/959 |
8 December 2006 |
Letter from the representative of Azerbaijan to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2006/1016 |
12 December 2006 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/1000 |
18 December 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2006/1029 |
25 December 2006 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/1 |
2 January 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/5 |
4 January 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/23 |
18 January 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/35 |
23 January 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/37 |
24 January 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/49 |
25 January 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/58 |
6 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/60 |
6 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/75 |
9 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/76 |
9 February 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Azerbaijan to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/80 |
9 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Kuwait to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/83 |
12 February 2007 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/103 |
12 February 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Egypt to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/101 |
21 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/109 |
26 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/117 |
27 February 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Kuwait to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/119 |
1 March 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/129 |
7 March 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/146 |
13 March 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/157 |
20 March 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/161 |
20 March 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/197 |
9 April 2007 |
Letter from the representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/192 |
10 April 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/358 |
12 April 2007 |
Letter from the observer of the League of Arab States to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/217 |
17 April 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/228 |
19 April 2007 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/225 |
23 April 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/232 |
23 April 2007 |
Letter from the observer of the League of Arab States to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/252 |
24 April 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/230 |
25 April 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/270 |
10 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/292 |
15 May 2007 |
Letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/285 |
16 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/291 |
17 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/293 |
18 May 2007 |
Letter from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/298 |
21 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/360 |
23 May 2007 |
Letter from the representative of South Africa to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/308 |
24 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/309 |
24 May 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Pakistan to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/310 |
24 May 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/316 |
29 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Israel to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/318 |
30 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/322 |
30 May 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/337 |
6 June 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/345 |
7 June 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/348 |
12 June 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/373 |
20 June 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/382 |
26 June 2007 |
Letter from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/387 |
27 June 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/397 |
29 June 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/405 |
3 July 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/411 |
5 July 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/428 |
10 July 2007 |
Letter from the representative of France to the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/431 |
16 July 2007 |
Identical letters from the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
S/2007/433 |
16 July 2007 |
Letter from the representative of Cuba to the Secretary-General |
|
S/2007/459 |
26 July 2007 |
Identical letters from the observer of Palestine to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council |
|
Symbol |
Date submitted |
|
|
S/2006/956 |
11 December 2006 |
|
S/2006/960 |
11 December 2006 |
Letter from the observer of Palestine to the President of the Security Council |
Document Type: Annual report, Report
Document Sources: General Assembly, Security Council
Subject: Middle East situation, Palestine question, Peace process, Refugee camps, Security issues, Situation in Lebanon, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 31/07/2007