UNIFIL mandate extended in Lebanon

Source Al Manar TV

Readers Number : 21

24/08/2007 The UN Security Council voted unanimously Friday to extend the mandate of the 13,600-strong UN troops in Lebanon and called for a permanent cease-fire and long-term solution to last summer's Israeli aggression against Lebanon. The resolution adopted by the council emphasized the need for greater progress in resolving these and other issues stemming from the Second Lebanon War. The Security Council reiterated its intention ''to consider further steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent cease-fire and a long-term solution.'' Earlier this month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the council to extend the mandate of the force, known as UNIFIL, praising the troops for helping to establish security in southern Lebanon following the Israeli aggression. The resolution commends UNIFIL's positive role, with Lebanese troops, in helping ''to establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon.'' The current mandate of the force - comprising 11,428 ground troops, 2,000 maritime personnel, 185 staff officers and 20 local staffers - expires on August 31. The resolution emphasized the need for further coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese army in the southern border region to establish ''an area free of any unauthorized armed personnel, assets and weapons.'' It condemned all terrorist attacks on UNIFIL.