Mideast situation/Lebanon – Letter from Israel

LETTER DATED 6 APRIL 1998 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF

 ISRAEL TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

I have the honour to attach herewith the text of the decisions adopted by the Ministerial Committee for National Security of the Government of Israel on the acceptance by Israel of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) (see annex).

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter and its attachment circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed)  Dore GOLD       

   Ambassador      

Permanent Representative

Annex

The Ministerial Committee for National Security today (1 April 1998) adopted the following decisions:

1. Israel is accepting United Nations Security Council resolution 425 (1978), so that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) will leave Lebanon with appropriate security arrangements, and so that the Lebanese Government can restore its effective control over Southern Lebanon and assume responsibility for guaranteeing that its territory will not be used as a base for terrorist activity against Israel.

2. The Government expresses its appreciation to the IDF soldiers and commanders who are engaged in the defence of the inhabitants of northern Israel.  The IDF will continue its activity against terrorist threats in the "security zone", until the necessary security arrangements are effected.

3. The Government of Israel calls on the Lebanese Government to begin negotiations, on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolution 425 (1978), to restore its effective control over territories currently under IDF control, and to prevent terrorist activities from its territory against Israel's northern border.

4. Israel views the guaranteed security and safety of the residents of the "security zone" in Southern Lebanon and the soldiers of the Southern Lebanese Army as an integral part of the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 425 (1978) and of any other arrangement for the restoration of security along our border with Lebanon.

5. Israel will continue its efforts to achieve agreements with all its neighbours.

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