Statement Certifying Israeli Withdrawal From
Lebanon
(June 18, 2001)
Presidential Statement Notes Reports of Violations,
Calls upon Parties to Respect Line Identified by United Nations
After consultations throughout the weekend, the
Security Council this afternoon endorsed the work done by the United
Nations as mandated by the Security Council, including the
Secretary-General’s conclusion that, as of 16 June, Israel had
withdrawn its forces from Lebanon in accordance with Security Council
resolution 425 (1978).
In a statement read out by its President,
Jean-David Levitte (France), the Council noted with serious concern
reports of violations that had occurred since 16 June, and called upon
all parties to respect the line identified by the United Nations.
It called on all parties concerned to cooperate
fully with the United Nations and to exercise the utmost restraint.
The Council also noted that the United Nations could not assume law
and order functions that were properly the responsibility of the
Lebanese Government. It welcomed that Government’s first steps in
that regard, and called on it to proceed with the deployment of its
armed forces into the Lebanese territory vacated by Israel as soon as
possible, with the assistance of the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The Council welcomed measures taken by the
Secretary-General and others to augment UNIFIL, stressing that its
redeployment should be coordinated with the Government of Lebanon.
In a press conference after he confirmed the
withdrawal to the Council on Friday, the Secretary-General said it was
a happy day for Lebanon, but also for Israel. He expressed the hope
that the implementation of resolution 425 would be seen by all people
of the region, especially Syrians, Palestinians and Israelis, as well
as Lebanese, as an encouragement to quickly move ahead in negotiating
peace treaties.
He described the main task of UNIFIL as helping the
Lebanese Government and armed forces to assume their responsibilities
along the border and throughout the area from which Israel had
withdrawn. The Secretary-General also called on the international
community to assist in the economic reconstruction of South Lebanon,
and in rebuilding its links to the rest of the country.
The meeting began at 10:10 a.m., suspended at 10:15
a.m., resumed at 3:47 p.m. and adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6878 4160th
Meeting (AM) 18 June 2000
Council Work Programme
When the Council met, it had before it the
Secretary-General's report on the implementation of Security Council
resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) (document S/2000/590).
In resolution 425 (1978), the Council called upon
Israel to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial
integrity and withdraw its forces from all Lebanese territory. The
resolution also established the United Nations Interim Force in
Lebanon (UNIFIL) to confirm the Israeli withdrawal, restore
international peace and security, and assist the Government of Lebanon
in establishing its effective authority in the area. Resolution 426
(1978) established UNIFIL for an initial period of six months.]
In the report, the Secretary-General advises that
Israel has met the requirements established in his 22 May report for
the implementation of resolution 425. Those requirements were that
Israel completely withdraw from Lebanese territory, that the Israeli
auxiliary force known as the South Lebanon Army (SLA) be dismantled,
and that all detainees in Al-Khiam prison be released.
The Government of Lebanon, he advises, has moved
quickly to re-establish its effective authority through deployment of
its security forces. On 12 June, it advised the United Nations it
would send a composite force of army and internal security personnel
to be based in Marjayoun. It also stated it would consider deploying
its armed forces throughout southern Lebanon following confirmation by
the Secretary-General of the withdrawal.
The report outlines the positions on the withdrawal
communicated to the Secretary-General by the Governments of Lebanon
and Israel. The Lebanese Government advised that the line used for the
purpose of confirming the withdrawal did not conform in three
locations to the internationally recognized border with Israel.
Concerning the Shab'a farmlands, both Lebanon and Syria state that
this land belongs to Lebanon. Also, concerning the eastern part of the
border between Syria and Lebanon, the report notes, Lebanon is
insisting on Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory in the
Mount Hermon area. It also insists on the on the immediate release of
Lebanese hostages and detainees (as well as the return of Lebanese
corpses) from Israeli prisons. It considers that all water equipment
and infrastructure established by Israel in the territory be
disconnected as part of the withdrawal, and the United Nations
investigate why the southern part of the Hasbani River runs dry.
A letter from the Israeli Prime Minister quoted in
the report states that Israel continues to have serious reservations
about the map used to delineate the lines for withdrawal, notably in
the area of border pillar 4 and the village of Metula. It also states
that Israel has consistently argued that the resolution 425 line
should not include the eastern Hasbani River. The Israeli Prime
Minister also expresses concern about the division of the village of
Rajr, which is describes as a "former Syrian village".
Notwithstanding their reservations, both
governments have confirmed that establishing the identifying line was
the sole responsibility of the United Nations, the Secretary-General
notes, and that they would respect the line the United Nations'
identified.
The report also comments on cooperation received
from Israel, Lebanon and Syria.
Regarding the future role of the United Nations,
the Secretary-General states that the first phase of UNIFIL's
reinforcement is currently underway, and that the force is expected
have 5,600 troops by early July. He notes that his 22 May report said
that an additional two mechanized infantry battalions would be
required by UNIFIL. That report also warned that, if the
reinforcements were not available, there was a possibility that UNIFIL
would not be able to adequately cover its full area of operations. No
firm commitments of troops that meet the criteria have yet been
received from Member States, he advises, so he is not in a position to
say when they will be deployed.
Statements
The Council President, JEAN-DAVID LEVITTE (France),
proposed the adoption of the agenda.
VLADIMIR N. SERGEEV (Russian Federation) said that
in the light of the importance of the matter before the Council,
Council members should be clear and possess all available information.
He was advised that additional information on the matter was now
available, and he sought a short suspension of the meeting to allow
informal consultations.
STEWART ELDON (United Kingdom) said that every
delegation had the right to call for consultations on any matter, and
so, of course, he had no objection to the suspension requested by the
representative of the Russian Federation. However, he pointed out that
the matter before the Council was urgent, and that the Council had
already spent a long time considering it. He hoped the break would be
short, and that the Council would resume its meeting very quickly.
The meeting was suspended at 10:15 a.m.
When the Council resumed at 3:47 p.m., the
PRESIDENT read out the following statement, which will be issued as S/PRST/2000/21:
Presidential Statement
"The Security Council welcomes with
satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General of 16 June 2000
(S/2000/590) and endorses the work done by the United Nations as
mandated by the Security Council, including the Secretary- General's
conclusion that as of 16 June 2000 Israel has withdrawn its forces
from Lebanon in accordance with resolution 425 (1978) of 19 March 1978
and met the requirements defined in the Secretary-General’s report
of 22 May 2000 (S/2000/460). In this regard, the Council notes that
Israel and Lebanon have confirmed to the Secretary-General, as
referred to in his report of 16 June 2000 (S/2000/590), that
identifying the withdrawal line was solely the responsibility of the
United Nations and that they will respect the line as identified. It
notes with serious concern reports of violations that have occurred
since 16 June 2000 and calls upon the parties to respect the line
identified by the United Nations.
"The Security Council welcomes the steps
already taken by the parties to implement the recommendations of the
Secretary-General contained in his report of 22 May 2000.
"The Security Council calls on all parties
concerned to continue to cooperate fully with the United Nations and
the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and to exercise
utmost restraint. The Council re-emphasizes the need for strict
respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political
independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized
boundaries.
"The Security Council, recalling resolution
425 (1978) and resolution 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, calls on the
Government of Lebanon to ensure the return of its effective authority
and presence in the south. The Council notes that the United Nations
cannot assume law and order functions which are properly the
responsibility of the Government of Lebanon. In this regard, the
Council welcomes the first steps taken by the Government of Lebanon
and calls upon it to proceed with the deployment of the Lebanese armed
forces as soon as possible, with the assistance of UNIFIL, into the
Lebanese territory recently vacated by Israel.
"The Security Council welcomes the measures
taken by the Secretary-General and the troop-contributing countries
relating to UNIFIL augmentation, in accordance with paragraph 32 of
the report of the Secretary-General of 22 May 2000. The Council
stresses that the redeployment of UNIFIL should be conducted in
coordination with the Government of Lebanon and with the Lebanese
armed forces as stated in paragraph 21 of the report of the
Secretary-General of 16 June 2000. In that context, the Council
invites the Secretary-General to report back on the measures taken to
that effect and those taken by the Government of Lebanon to restore
its effective authority in the area, in accordance with its
resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978). The Council looks forward to
the completion of the mandate of UNIFIL and will review by 31 July
2000 the need to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL, taking into
account the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978), including the actions taken by
the Government of Lebanon to restore its effective authority in the
area.
"The Security Council expresses its
appreciation and full support for the continuing efforts of the
Secretary-General, his Special Envoy to the region, the Chief
Cartographer and their staff. It commends the troops of UNIFIL and the
troop-contributing countries for their commitment to the cause of
international peace and security under difficult circumstances. The
Council calls on all parties concerned to continue to cooperate with
the United Nations, and reiterates the relevant principles contained
in the Convention on the Safety of the United Nations and Associated
Personnel of 1994.
"The Security Council stresses again 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."
The meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
Sources: United Nations Security Council |