15-8 the Situation in the Middle East 11 February 2009 Advance
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Advance version 11 February 2009 The situation in the Middle East Table of Contents A. United Nations Disengagement Observer Force B. United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and developments in the Israel- Lebanon sector C. Security Council resolution 1559 (2004) D. Security Council resolution 1595 (2005) E. The report of the Secretary-General on the Middle East A. United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Decisions of June 2004 – December 2007: eight resolutions and eight statements by the President At each of its 4998th, 5101st , 5205th, 5339th, 5456th, 5596th, 5698th, and 5802nd meetings,1 the Security Council adopted unanimously without a debate a resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observations Force (UNDOF) for periods of six months on the basis of the reports of the Secretary-General.2 In his reports, the Secretary-General observed that the situation in the Israel-Syria sector had remained generally quiet. He noted that between 12 July and 14 August 2006, rockets originating from the area of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) had hit close to UNDOF positions in the Shab’a area.3 In general, UNDOF continued to perform its role as supervisor of the ceasefire between the Syrian and Israeli 1 Held on 29 June 2004, 15 December 2004, 17 June 2005, 21 December 2005, 13 June 2006, 15 December 2006, 20 June 2007, and 14 December 2007, respectively. During this period in addition to these meetings, the Council also held a number of meetings with the troop-contributing countries to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in private, pursuant to annex II, sections A and B of resolution 1353 (2001). The meetings were held on 24 June 2004 (S/PV.4996), 10 December 2004 (S/PV.5098), 15 June 2005 (S/PV.5200), 16 December 2005 (S/PV.5330), 6 June 2006 (S/PV.5452), 13 December 2006 (S/PV.5587), 12 June 2007 (S/PV.5692), and 11 December 2007 (S/PV.5797). 2 S/2004/499, S/2004/948, S/2005/379, S/2005/767, S/2006/333, S/2006/938, 2/2007/331, and S/2007/698. 3 S/2006/938. Repertoire 15th Supplement (2004 – 2007): Chapter VIII 1 Advance version 11 February 2009 forces. Despite the calmness, he noted that the situation in the Middle East was tense and was likely to remain so unless a comprehensive settlement could be reached. The resolutions called upon all parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973; renewed the mandate of UNDOF for subsequent six month periods with the last mandate ending on 30 June 2008; and requested that the Secretary-General submit a report on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement that resolution. 4 Complimentary statements by the President were also released, which stated that despite the present quiet in the Israeli-Syrian sector, the situation in the Middle East continued to be potentially dangerous and was likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem could be reached.5 4 Resolutions 1550 (2004), 1578 (2004), 1605 (2005), 1648 (2005), 1685 (2006), 1729 (2006), 1759 (2007) and 1788 (2007). 5 S/PRST/2004/23, S/PRST/2004/47, S/PRST/2005/24, S/PRST/2005/65, S/PRST/2006/26, S/PRST/2006/54, S/PRT/2007/20, and S/PRST/2007/48. Repertoire 15th Supplement (2004 – 2007): Chapter VIII 2 Advance version 11 February 2009 B. United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and developments in the Israel- Lebanon sector Decisions of January 2004 – July 2004: two resolutions At the 4907th and 5012th meetings,6 the Security Council adopted unanimously without a debate resolutions 1525 (2004) and 1553 (2004), respectively, extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on the basis of the report of the Secretary-General7 and the request of Lebanon. 8 In his reports, the Secretary-General observed that the situation in the UNIFIL area of operation during the period had been characterized by numerous armed encounters across the Blue Line, the majority of which were between Hizbullah and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and some of which involved unknown or Palestinian actors. He noted that tensions were frequently high, and the situation was fragile. He also stated that the cycle of air violations by Israel, the firing of anti-aircraft rounds by Hizbullah, and air strikes by Israel against Hizbullah positions had added a serious new dimension to the conflict. The Secretary-General noted that the situation along the Blue Line was susceptible to volatile regional developments and underscored the need to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. At the same meetings, the President drew the attention of the Council to documents submitted by Lebanon9 and Israel, 10 reporting violations of the Blue Line. 6 Held on 30 January 2004 and 29 July 2004, respectively. During this period, in addition to these meetings, the Council held a number of meetings with the troop-contributing countries to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon in private, pursuant to annex II, sections A and B of resolution 1353 (2001). The meetings were held on 23 January 2004 (S/PV.4901), 23 July 2004 (S/PV.5008), 24 January 2005 (S/PV.5115), 25 July 2005 (S/PV.5233), 25 January 2006 (S/PV.5355), 25 July 2006 (S/PV.5495) and 16 August 2007 (S/PV.5731). 7 S/2004/50. 8 S/2004/35. 9 S/2004/6, S/2004/15, S/2004/35, S/2004/54, S/2004/55, S/2004/560, S/2004/574, S/2004/575 and S/2004/577. 10 S/2004/61 and S/2004/465. Repertoire 15th Supplement (2004 – 2007): Chapter VIII 3 Advance version 11 February 2009 The resolutions renewed the mandate of UNIFIL for two six month periods, with the second mandate expiring on 31 January 2005; and stressed the importance of the continuing efforts by the Government of Lebanon to ensure the return of its effective authority throughout the south, including the deployment of Lebanese armed forces. They also reiterated its call on the parties to continue to fulfil the commitments they had given to fully respect the withdrawal line identified by the United Nations, and to exercise utmost restraint and cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL. Additionally, they requested that the Secretary-General continue his consultations with the Government of Lebanon and other parties directly concerned on the implementation of those resolutions.11 Decision of 28 January 2005 (5117th meeting): resolution 1583 (2005) At the 5117th meeting, on 28 January 2005, the Security Council included in its agenda the report of the Secretary-General on UNIFIL.12 In his report dated 20 January 2005, the Secretary-General observed that the UNIFIL area of operation had been relatively quiet but that serious incidents had occurred in the last weeks of the reporting period. On 9 January, a roadside bomb had hit an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) convoy, resulting in the death of one IDF soldier and wounding three others. In the same incident, one United Nations observer and a French national had been killed and a Swedish national was injured. Retaliatory fire had ensued, claiming the life of one Hizbullah fighter and injuring another. The Secretary-General also noted that the Blue Line had enjoyed prolonged periods of relative quiet often followed by several episodes of hostilities. He stated that the resumption of military measures, for which Hizbullah took credit, and the disregard shown for the safety of the unarmed United Nations military observers, was troubling. At the same meeting, the President (Argentina) drew the attention of the Council to letters addressed to the Secretary-General from the Governments of Lebanon13 and 11 Resolutions 1525 (2004) and 1553 (2004). 12 S/2005/36. 13 S/2005/23, S/2005/24, S2005/25 and S/2005/26. Repertoire 15th Supplement (2004 – 2007): Chapter VIII 4 Advance version 11 February 2009 Israel,14 reporting violations of the Blue Line. In another letter brought to the attention of the Security Council, the representative of Lebanon requested that the Council extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of six months.15 The President then drew the attention of the Council to a draft resolution,16 which was then put to the vote and adopted unanimously as resolution 1583 (2005). In summary, by this resolution, the Council: Decides to extend the present mandate until 31 July 2005; 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; calls on the parties to ensure UNIFIL is accorded full freedom of movement throughout its area of operation; condemns all acts of violence, including the recent incidents across the Blue Line that have resulted in the killing and wounding of UN military observers; 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; welcomes the continued contribution of UNIFIL to operational mine clearance, encourages further assistance in mine action by the UN 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. After the vote, statements were made by Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Greece, Japan, Lebanon, the Russian Federation, and the United States.