SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY REDEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY PERSONNEL FROM UN MISSION IN LIBERIA TO CÔTE D’IVOIRE OPERATION

Security Council

5366^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY REDEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY PERSONNEL

FROM UN MISSION IN LIBERIA TO C ÔTE D’IVOIRE OPERATION

Resolution 1657 (2006) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this morning authorized temporary redeployment of military personnel from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), to provide extra security coverage for United Nations personnel and property, and perform other tasks mandated to UNOCI.

Unanimously adopting its resolution 1657 (2006), the Council expressed serious concern at the persistence of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and of obstacles to peace and national reconciliation from all sides. It authorized redeployment of a maximum of one infantry company from Liberia to Côte d’Ivoire until 31 March 2006, while expressing its intention to review those arrangements by the end of March, in light of the situation on the ground.

That action was taken in response to a letter from the Secretary-General dated 1 February (document S/2006/71), which contained a request for such a transfer, in keeping with resolution 1609 (2005), by which the Council had authorized the Secretary-General to redeploy military and civilian police personnel between the two Missions “to deal with challenges that cannot be handled within the authorized personnel ceiling of either Mission”.

The meeting started at 9:50 a.m. and was adjourned at 9:52 a.m.

Resolution

The complete text of resolution 1657 (2006) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements of its President relating to the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and in the subregion, in particular its resolutions 1609 (2005) of 24 June 2005, 1626 (2005) of 19 September 2005 and 1652 (2006) of 24 January 2006,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Côte d’Ivoire, and recalling the importance of the principles of good-neighbourliness, non-interference and regional cooperation,

“Taking note of the letter of the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council dated 1 February 2006 (S/2006/71),

“Recalling that the current mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) will expire on 31 March 2006,

“Expressing its serious concern at the persistence of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire and of obstacles to the peace and national reconciliation process from all sides,

“Determining that the situation in Côte d’Ivoire continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Decides to authorize the Secretary-General to redeploy immediately a maximum of one infantry company from UNMIL to the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), until 31 March 2006, in order to provide extra security coverage for United Nations personnel and property, and to perform other tasks mandated to UNOCI, without prejudice to any future decision by the Security Council concerning the renewal of the mandate and level of troops of UNMIL and a further extension of the redeployment mentioned above;

“2.   Expresses its intention to review the provisions of paragraph 1 above in 30 days and by 31 March 2006, in light of the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and in Liberia;

“3.   Expressesits intention to keep under review possible additional redeployments of troops between UNMIL and UNOCI;

“4.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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For information media • not an official record