Secretary-General Welcomes Security Council’s Renewal of Peacekeeping Mission on Israel-Lebanon Border, Calling on Parties to Focus on Permanent Ceasefire

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes the unanimous extension today by the Security Council of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  He notes that, during the past 10 years, the UNIFIL area of operation and areas along the Blue Line have witnessed the longest period of relative calm in decades.  This calm is due to the efforts of both Lebanon and Israel and their continued commitment to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), supported by the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and UNIFIL which work to promote stability and security in Lebanon and across the Blue Line.  The Secretary-General also extends his appreciation to the countries contributing troops to UNIFIL for their continued support.

The Secretary-General underscores that calm should not be mistaken for progress on the remaining objectives of resolution 1701 (2006).  The violent and unstable regional context emphasizes the importance of tangible progress by the parties towards a permanent ceasefire, as envisaged in the resolution.

The Secretary-General emphasizes the need for the parties to build on the prevailing relative calm, to focus on the goal of a permanent ceasefire and to act proactively to address all outstanding issues in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and other relevant Security Council resolutions.  He further calls on the parties to ensure that the cessation of hostilities is sustained; to continue working in the ongoing process to delineate and mark the Blue Line in its entirety; to continue using the Tripartite Mechanism to address relevant issues; and to work constructively with his Special Coordinator and the UNIFIL Force Commander and Head of Mission to explore ways forward.  The United Nations will continue to engage in preventive diplomacy with all concerned and provide good offices to facilitate progress in this regard.