UNIFIL mandate – Letter from Lebanon

LETTER DATED 13 JULY 1989 FROM THE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES A.I. OF THE

PERMANENT MISSION OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS

ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

I have the honour to inform you that the Government of Lebanon has decided to request the Security Council to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which expires on 31 July 1989, for a further period of six months.  It does so on the basis of the provisions of Security Council resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 501 (1982) and 509 (1982) and of other relevant resolutions and decisions of the Security Council.

The prevailing difficult conditions in southern Lebanon, where UNIFIL is based, resulting as they do chiefly from Israel's continued occupation of the so-called "security zone" and its aggressive and arbitrary practices against the country and its inhabitants, strengthen our conviction that the force should remain, should be empowered to carry out the tasks entrusted to it and should be deployed up to Lebanon's internationally recognized borders in order to ensure Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Lebanese territory and thus assist Lebanon in restoring its sovereignty and authority over all of its territory.

The Lebanese Government therefore perseveres in reiterating its invitation and request to the Security Council to take action for the implementation of the resolutions it has adopted on this matter since 1978.

The renewal of the UNIFIL mandate is a desideratum for both Government and people of Lebanon and one which clearly and self-evidently enjoys the consensus of all leaders and all classes of the people.  The presence of UNIFIL represents a major factor for stability in an area in which elements making for friction and eruption are abundant, and it embodies that continued international commitment which is indispensable to bolstering Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in current circumstances.

The Lebanese Government takes this opportunity to commend the UNIFIL commanders, troops and administrators for the efforts and sacrifices they make in the cause of peace in Lebanon and for the many humanitarian services they render to citizens in southern Lebanon.  It expresses its gratitude to the troop-contributing countries for their initiative and their commitment to the cause of world peace and it cites the Secretary-General and his assistants for their efforts and endeavours so that UNIFIL can maintain its presence and continue to function despite the obstacles and difficulties with which it is confronted.

I should be grateful if you would have this letter circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Chawki CHOUERI

Chargé d'affaires a.i.