Security Council – 1999 round-up – Press release (excerpts)

CONFLICTS IN KOSOVO, SIERRA LEONE AND ANGOLA, QUESTION OF EAST TIMOR KEY

ELEMENTS OF SECURITY COUNCIL’S WORK FOR 1999

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Lebanon/Syria/Israel

On 28 January, the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a further six months until 31 July. By adopting resolution 1223 (1999), the Council reiterated that UNIFIL should fully implement its mandate as contained in resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978) and all other relevant resolutions. Israel was called upon to withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory by the terms of resolution 425 of 19 March 1978, while resolution 426, of the same date, established UNIFIL.

By other provisions of the resolution, the Council also reiterated its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries. It condemned all acts of violence committed in particular against UNIFIL, and urged the parties to put an end to them.

In a complementary statement read out by its President, the Council expressed concern over the continuing violence in southern Lebanon, regretted the loss of civilian life and urged all parties to exercise restraint.

On 30 July, the Council once more extended the mandate of the UNIFIL for six months until 31 January. Adopting resolution 1254 (1999), the Council condemned all acts of violence committed against the Force, and urged the parties to put an end to them.

On 27 May, the Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for a further six months, until 30 November. The UNDOF was established in May 1974 to supervise the ceasefire called for by the Council and the Israeli-Syrian disengagement agreement. As it adopted resolution 1243 (1999), the Council called upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973.

Also, through a statement read out by its President, the Council recalled that the Secretary-General's report on UNDOF had stated that, despite the present quiet in the Israeli-Syrian sector, the situation in the Middle East continued to be potentially dangerous and was likely to remain so, until a comprehensive settlement of the Middle East problem could be reached. That statement reflected the view of the Council.

On 24 November, by the unanimous adoption of resolution 1276 (1999), the Council again renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for a further six months, until 30 May 2000, and called on the parties concerned to implement immediately resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October.

Also, through a statement read out by its President, the Council recalled that, in his report on UNDOF, the Secretary-General had stated that despite the present quiet on the Israeli-Syrian sector, the situation in the Middle East continued to be potentially dangerous and was likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem could be reached. That statement of the Secretary-General again reflected the views of the Council.

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