Mideast situation/Palestinian question – SecCo briefing by Mission Force Commanders – Press release (Excerpts)

6370^th Meeting (AM)

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Statements

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Major-General ROBERT MOOD, Head of Mission and Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, said it was an honour to lead the first United Nations peacekeeping operation, created in 1949, and which straddled complex fault lines in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.  The Mission provided a presence not limited to withdrawals and disengagement.  It also continued to provide a United Nations presence in the area and enjoyed the consent of States wherever it operated.

In addition, he said, once UNFIL and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) had fulfilled their mandates, UNTSO would provide continuity in overall regional peace efforts.  And as borders were discussed between Israel, its neighbours, and a future Palestinian State, the Mission was as relevant today as when it was first deployed.  The 153 unarmed female and male observers were well-trained and contributed significantly to other regional efforts of the Organization.

On concerns and challenges, he affirmed that improved coordination between civilian and military components was extremely valuable and there was also a need to draw the assistance of countries not in the immediate region into peace efforts.  He added that seeds of conflict from global threats, such as a lack of water, were also coming closer to the Middle East.  In relation to all those challenges, as the United Nations called upon the parties in the Middle East conflict to show maximum restraint, refrain from violations of Security Council resolutions and engage in active dialogue, UNTSO remained ready and able to support their positive engagements, he pledged.

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