Situation along the Blue Line – Report of the SecGen

DOCUMENT S/10617

Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the consensus adopted by the Security Council on 19 April 1972

1. In pursuance of the consensus reached by the members of the Security Council on the action to be taken in response to the request of the Lebanese Government [S/10611], the Secretary-General proceeded in the manner outlined in his memorandum of 4 April 1972 [ibid., annex] and instructed the Chief of Staff of UNTSO, Major-General Ensio Siilasvuo, in consultation with the Lebanese authorities, to implement the arrangements envisaged in paragraphs 4 to 7 of that memorandum.

2. General Siilasvuo held detailed discussions between 20 and 22 April 1972 with Major-General Iskander Ghanem, Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese army. On 21 April a reconnaissance was carried out with the senior Lebanese delegate to the Israel-Lebanon Mixed Armistice Commission, and the sites of the three proposed observation posts were selected. One observation post is located at the existing UNTSO outstation at Naqoura (approximate map reference 1629-2805) and the other two in the Marjayoun area at the village of El Khiam (approximate map reference 2071-3025) and near Bent Jbail at Maroun Er Ras (approximate map reference 1920-2785), respectively. At the same time full agreement was reached with the Lebanese authorities on various arrangements aimed at ensuring the effective functioning of the extended Mixed Armistice Commission operation and the security of UNTSO personnel. In particular, provision was made for the installation of suitable observation platforms and the  accommodation of the observers, the early construction of protective fencing and shelters, United Nations radio communications, full freedom of movement on all roads to and from the observation posts, the assignment of Lebanese army liaison officers to each post, military escorts for UNTSO  personnel when the situation demanded it, and other facilities under the Convention of Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

3. It should be placed on record that throughout these discussions and the joint reconnaissance referred to above, the fullest co-operation and assistance was extended to UNTSO by the Lebanese authorities.

4. The two new observation posts at El Khiam and Maroun Er Ras are called "OP Khiam" and "OP Ras" respectively. Although they are some distance away from the Israel-Lebanon armistice demarcation line and widely separated from each other, they are located on high ground and provide extensive observation over various portions of the armistice demarcation line, including areas which recently were the scene of serious incidents.

5. The existing UNTSO outpost at Naqoura, now called "OP Naq" will, in addition to its present essentially administrative functions, also serve as an observation post; measures are being taken to improve its observation possibilities which are at present limited

6. In the light of indications received from their Lebanese  authorities, the effectiveness of the three observation posts may be increased as they intend, whenever the situation warrants, to request the observers to move to areas from which a given incident can be better observed. In addition, more recourse than hitherto may be made to the Israel-Lebanon Mixed: Armistice Commission for inquiries into incidents.

7. Although UNTSO had planned to man the observation posts as of 22 April, their establishment was delayed until 24 April at the specific request of the Lebanese authorities. On that day, OPs Khiam, Ras and Naq became operational at 0930, 1000 and 0845 hours GMT, respectively.

8. General Siilasvuo has informed the Israel authorities, through their liaison officer, of the arrangements made for the observation posts in question, including their location and date of opening.

9. As already indicated in the Secretary-General's memorandum of 4 April 1972, the strength of the: Mixed Armistice Commission is being augmented from; 7 to 21 observers for an initial period from existing UNTSO resources; likewise the necessary supplies and equipment are being drawn from UNTSO's  current stocks.  In this regard it should be noted that the UNTSO logistics convoy, from UNTSO headquarters in Jerusalem, crossed smoothly and without delay both the Israel and Lebanese checkpoints of Rosh Hanikra and Naqoura, respectively, in the early morning hours of 24 April 1972.

10. As from 25 April, relevant information based on the observers' reports will be circulated to the Security Council as occasion requires. In addition, the Secretary-General, as he has been invited to do, will report periodically to the Security Council on the need for the continuance of the above measures  and on their scale.

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