Mideast situation/UNIFIL mandate – Letter from Lebanon

LETTER DATED 6 JANUARY 1987 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED

TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

I have the honour to inform you that the Lebanese Government has decided to request the Security Council to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lehanon (UNIFIL), which is due to expire on 19 January 1987, for a further period of six months, on the basis of the provisions of Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) and of other relevant resolutions and decisions of the Council.

I wish to stress that the Lebanese Government is convinced that, despite the current situation in southern Lebanon, resulting from the continuing presence of Israeli occupation forces, UNIFIL, which symbolizes the will of the international community, continues to be an indispensable factor for stability and the best available option for peace and security in the region. The Lebanese Government firmly believes that further sustained efforts are essential in order to enable UNIFIL to discharge fully the mandate which the Security Council has entrusted to it since 1978.

The Lebanese Government would like, on this occasion, to express its gratitude to the Secretary-General and his staff and to pay tribute to UNIFIL and the troop-contributing countries for the efforts and sacrifices which they are making in order to serve the cause of peace in Lebanon and the region.

I should be grateful if you would bring the text of this letter to the attention of the members of the Security Council and arrange for it to be circulated as a document of the Council.

(Signed)  Rachid FAKHOURY

Ambassador

Permanent Representative

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