Mideast situation/Israel hijacking Libyan aircraft – Vetoed draft resolution

GENERAL

S/17796/Rev.1

6 February 1986

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Trinidad and Tobago and United

Arab Emirates: revised draft resolution

Having noted the contents of the letter from the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/17788),

Having heard the statement of the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic concerning the act of aerial hijacking and piracy perpetrated by the Israeli airforce against a Libyan civilian aircraft in the international airspace,

Recognizing that acts of aerial hijacking or other wrongful interference with civil air travel jeopardize the lives and safety of passengers and crew,

Considering that this act by the Israeli airforce constitutes a serious interference with international civil aviation, and a threat to security and stability in the region,

Recognizing that such an act violates the provisions of international conventions safeguarding civil aviation,

1. Condemns Israel for its forcible interception and diversion of the Libyan civilian aircraft in international airspace, and its subsequent detention of the said aircraft;

2. Considers that this act by Israel constitutes a serious violation of the principles of international law, and in particular the relevant provisions of the international conventions on civil aviation;

3. Calls on the International Civil Aviation Organization to take due account of this resolution when considering adequate measures to safeguard international civil aviation against such acts;

4. Calls on Israel to desist forthwith from any and all acts endangering the safety of international civil aviation and solemnly warns Israel that, if such acts are repeated, the Council will consider taking adequate measures to enforce its resolutions.

                                        —–

The Security Council on 6 February 1986 voted on the draft resolution as follows:

In favour: Bulgaria, China, Congo, Ghana, Madagascar, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela.

Against: United States of America.

Abstained: Australia, Denmark, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.