Resolution 1583
(January 28, 2005)
“The Security Council,
“Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, including
resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978 and 1553 (2004)
of 29 July 2004, as well as the statements of its President on the situation
in Lebanon, in particular the statement of 18 June 2000 (S/PRST/2000/21),
“Recalling further the letter from its President to the Secretary-General
of 18 May 2001 (S/2001/500),
“Recalling also the Secretary-General’s conclusion that, as of 16 June 2000, Israel had withdrawn its forces from Lebanon
in accordance with resolution 425 (1978) and met the requirements defined in the Secretary-General’s
report of 22 May 2000 (S/2000/460), as well as the Secretary-General’s
conclusion that the United Nations
Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had essentially completed two
of the three parts of its mandate, focusing now on the remaining task
of restoring international peace and security,
“Gravely concerned at the persistence of tension and violence
along the Blue Line,
“Emphasizing once again the interim nature of UNIFIL,
“Recalling its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,
“Recalling also its resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000,
“Recalling further the relevant principles contained in the Convention
on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on
9 December 1994,
“Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon to extend
the mandate of UNIFIL for a new period of six months presented in the
letter from its Permanent Representative to the United Nations of 11
January 2005 to the Secretary-General (S/2005/13), while reaffirming
that the Council has recognized the Blue Line as valid for the purpose
of confirming Israel’s withdrawal pursuant to resolution 425 and
that the Blue Line must be respected in its entirety,
“Expressing its concern over the tensions and potential for escalation
as noted in the Secretary-General’s report of 20 January (S/2005/36),
“1. Endorses the report of the Secretary-General on UNIFIL of
20 January (S/2005/36);
“2. Decides to extend the present mandate until 31 July 2005;
“3. Reiterates its strong support for the territorial integrity,
sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally
recognized boundaries and under the sole and exclusive authority of
the Government of Lebanon;
“4. Calls upon the Government of Lebanon to fully extend and exercise
its sole and effective authority throughout the south, including through
the deployment of sufficient numbers of Lebanese armed and security
forces, to ensure a calm environment throughout the area, including
along the Blue Line, and to exert control over the use of force on its
territory and from it;
“5. Calls on the parties to ensure UNIFIL is accorded full freedom
of movement throughout its area of operation as outlined in the Secretary-General’s
report, and requests UNIFIL to report any obstruction it may face in
the discharge of its mandate;
“6. Reiterates its call on the parties to continue to fulfil the
commitments they have given to respect fully the entire withdrawal line
identified by the United Nations, as set out in the Secretary-General’s
report of 16 June 2000 (S/2000/590), to exercise utmost restraint and
to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL;
“7. Condemns all acts of violence, including the recent incidents
across the Blue Line that have resulted in the killing and wounding
of United Nations military observers, expresses great concern about
the serious breaches and the sea, land and continuing air violations
of the withdrawal line, and urges the parties to put an end to these
violations, to refrain from any act or provocation that could further
escalate the tension and to abide scrupulously by their obligation to
respect the safety of the UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel;
“8. Supports the continued efforts of UNIFIL to maintain the ceasefire
along the withdrawal line through mobile patrols and observation from
fixed positions and through close contacts with the parties to correct
violations, resolve incidents and prevent their escalation, while stressing
the primary responsibility of the parties in this regard;
“9. Welcomes the continued contribution of UNIFIL to operational
mine clearance, encourages further assistance in mine action by the
United Nations to the Government of Lebanon in support of both the continued
development of its national mine action capacity and clearance of the
remaining mine/UXO threat in the south, commends donor countries for
supporting these efforts through financial and in-kind contributions
and encourages further international contributions, and stresses the
necessity for provision to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL any
additional existing maps and minefield records;
“10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue consultations
with the Government of Lebanon and other parties directly concerned
on the implementation of this resolution and to report thereon to the
Council before the end of the present mandate, as well as on the activities
of UNIFIL and the tasks presently carried out by the United Nations
Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO);
“11. Expresses its intention to review the mandate and structures
of UNIFIL at the end of the present mandate and requests the Secretary-General,
following appropriate consultations, including with the Lebanese Government,
to include in his report recommendations in this regard, taking into
account the prevailing situation on the ground, the activities actually
performed by the Force in its area of operation and its contribution
towards the remaining task of restoring international peace and security;
“12. Looks forward to the early fulfilment of the mandate of UNIFIL;
“13. Stresses 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.”
Sources: The United Nations |