Security Council

6893^rd Meeting (AM)

Adopting Resolution, Security Council Extends for Six Months

 

Mandate of United Nations Disengagement Observer Force

 

The Security Council this morning extended until 30 June 2013 the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria, expressing grave concern at recent violations by the Syrian Armed Forces in the mission’s area of operations.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2084 (2012), the Council stressed the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.  It also called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation, and underscored that there should be no military activity of any kind in that area, including military operations by the Syrian Armed Forces.

Concurring with the Secretary-General’s findings, detailed in his latest report on the topic (document S/2012/897), that the military operations carried out by the Syrian Armed Forces had adversely affected the efforts of UNDOF to effectively carry out its mandated tasks, and expressing serious concern at the presence of armed members of the opposition in the area of separation, the Council, through the resolution, called on all parties to cooperate fully with UNDOF operations.  Condemning the 29 November incident in which five peacekeepers were injured, the Council also stressed the need to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF personnel.

The meeting began at 10:15 a.m. and ended at 10:17 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2084 (2012) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Noting with concern that the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached,

“Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 27 November 2012 (S/2012/897), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,

“Expressing grave concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including the presence of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces and unauthorized military equipment inside the area of separation,

“Concurring with the Secretary-General’s finding that the military operations carried out by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces have affected adversely the efforts of UNDOF to effectively carry out the mandated tasks,

“Expressing serious concern at the presence of armed members of the opposition in the area of separation,

“Underscoring that recent incidents across the ceasefire line have shown the potential for escalation of tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, and jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries,

“Condemning the 29 November incident in which five peacekeepers were injured,

“Expressing its continued appreciation to the military and civilian personnel serving with UNDOF in an increasingly challenging operating environment,

“1.   Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;

“2.   Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF, to respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as well as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the United Nations personnel carrying out their mandate, in conformity with existing agreements and stresses the need to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF personnel;

“3.   Stresses the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calls on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation, and underscores that there should be no military activity of any kind in the area of separation including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces;

“4.   Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

“5.   Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 30 June 2013, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure the Force has the capacity necessary to fulfil the mandate;

“6.   Requests the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).”

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For information media • not an official record