Security Council

7089^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Authorizes Six-Month Mandate Extension for United Nations

 

Disengagement Observer Force, until June 2014

 

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until 30 June 2014, as ongoing military activities in the area of separation could jeopardize the ceasefire between Israel and Syria, posing risk to civilians and peacekeeping personnel alike.

Unanimously adopting resolution 2131 (2013), the Council strongly condemned fighting that had taken place on 1 October in the vicinity of Khan Arnabeh, in which Force personnel had been injured; the firing upon UNDOF vehicles on 15 October and 5 November by the Syrian Arab Forces in the area of limitation; and the firing upon and detention of four mission personnel on 1 November by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Mughur Al-Mir village in the area of limitation.

Against that backdrop, the Council requested the Secretary-General to ensure that the Force had the required capacity and resources to fulfil its mandate, and to enhance its ability to do so in a safe and secure way.  Calling on the parties concerned to implement resolution 338 (1973) immediately, it stressed the obligation of both parties to “scrupulously and fully” respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement.  They must exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire, the text stated.  There should be no military activity in the area of separation, including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces.

Further by the text, the Council urged States to convey strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in the area of operation the need to halt all activities endangering United Nations peacekeepers, and to accord peacekeeping personnel the freedom to carry out their mandate safely.  All parties should cooperate fully with UNDOF operations, respect its immunities and ensure its freedom of movement.

The meeting began at 10:12 a.m. and ended at 10:14 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2131 (2013) 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 3 December 2013 (S/2013/716), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,

“Stressing that both parties must abide by the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously observe the ceasefire,

“Concurring with the Secretary-General’s findings that the ongoing military activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground,

“Expressing grave concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement,

“Stressing that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF,

“Strongly condemning the recent intense fighting in the area of separation and calling on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions in the UNDOF area of operation, noting in particular the significant confrontations of 12 and 16 September and of 1 to 4 October, and the increased use by elements of the Syrian opposition and other groups of improvised explosive devices in the UNDOF area of operation,

“Strongly condemning the incidents threatening the safety and security of United Nations personnel in recent months, including fighting on 1 October in the vicinity of Khan Arnabeh that resulted in an injury to UNDOF personnel, the firing on UNDOF vehicles carrying mission personnel on 15 October and 5 November by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces in Al Samdaniyah village and in the vicinity of Jaba in the area of limitation, respectively, the firing on and detention of four UNDOF personnel on 1 November by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Mughur Al-Mir village in the area of limitation, and the firing on an UNDOF convoy on 28 November by armed elements of the Syrian opposition in the vicinity of Ruihinahin in the area of limitation that resulted in an injury to UN personnel,

“Underscoring the need for UNDOF to have at its disposal all necessary means and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely, and recalling that the theft of United Nations weapons and ammunition, vehicles and other assets, and the looting and destruction of United Nations facilities, are unacceptable,

“Expressing its profound appreciation to UNDOF’s military and civilian personnel, including those from Observer Group Golan, for their service and continued contribution, in an increasingly challenging operating environment, underscoring the important contribution UNDOF’s continued presence makes to peace and security in the Middle East, welcoming steps taken to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF, including Observer Group Golan, personnel, and stressing the need for continued vigilance to ensure the safety and security of UNDOF and Observer Group Golan personnel,

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

“2.   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;

“3.   Underlines that there should be no military activity of the armed opposition groups in the area of separation, and urges Member States to convey strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in UNDOF’s area of operation to halt all activities that endanger United Nations peacekeepers on the ground and to accord the United Nations personnel on the ground the freedom to carry out their mandate safely and securely;

“4.   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, including the temporary use of an alternative port of entry and departure, as required, to ensure safe and secure troop rotation activities, in conformity with existing agreements, and welcomes prompt reporting by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and troop-contributing countries of any actions that impede UNDOF’s ability to fulfil its mandate;

“5.   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;

“6.   Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 30 June 2014, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that UNDOF has the required capacity and resources to fulfil the mandate, as well as to enhance the Force’s ability to do so in a safe and secure way;

“7.   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