Security Council

5867^th Meeting (PM)

SECURITY COUNCIL REITERATES COMMITMENT TO FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 1701,

WHICH ENDED FIGHTING BETWEEN ISRAEL, HIZBULLAH IN AUGUST 2006

 

The United Nations Security Council today reiterated its commitment to the full implementation of all provisions of its resolution 1701, which in August of 2006 called for an end to hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah in South Lebanon and mapped out steps for a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict.

In a statement read out by its President, Dumisani S. Kumalo, of South Africa, the Council called on all concerned parties, in particular in the region, to intensify their efforts in implementing resolution 1701 (2006), including by fully cooperating with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in that regard.

The Council welcomed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s most recent progress reports on compliance with that resolution, issued in October 2007 (document S/2007/641) and 28 February 2008 (document S/2008/135) and took note of the progress, as well as the concern, expressed therein.  In the February report, the Secretary-General stated that, while he was pleased that both the Governments of Lebanon and Israel expressed continued commitment to the implementation of resolution 1701, he was deeply concerned by Lebanon’s ongoing political crisis, as well as by smuggling in the region and Israeli overflights.

The Council also emphasized the need for greater progress on all key issues required for a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution, as referred to in the Secretary-General’s reports.  The Council also reiterated its full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and called on all parties to abide by their obligations to respect the safety of United Nations personnel.  It also welcomed the further enhancement of cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The meeting convened at 3:11 p.m. and adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2008/8, reads as follows:

“The Security Council recalls its resolution 1773 (2007) as well as the statements of its President on Lebanon and welcomes the reports of the Secretary-General of 30 October 2007 (S/2007/641) and of 28 February 2008 (S/2008/135).

“It reiterates its commitment to the full implementation of all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) and reaffirms its strong support for the efforts of the Secretary-General in this regard.

“The Security Council takes note of the progress as well as of the concerns expressed by the Secretary-General regarding the implementation of resolution 1701 and emphasizes the need for greater progress on allthe key issues required for a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution, as referred to in the Secretary-General’s reports.

“It also calls upon all concerned parties, in particular in the region, to intensify their efforts in implementing resolution 1701, including by fully cooperating with the Secretary-General in this regard.

“The Security Council reiterates its full support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and calls on all parties to abide by their obligations to respect the safety of UN personnel.  It welcomes the further enhancement of the cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

“It stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973.”

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For information media • not an official record