Mandate of UN force in Lebanon extended for another year

The UN Security Council on Thursday extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) by another year, amid heighten tensions along the Lebanese-Israeli border. The mandate's extension to Aug. 31 2014 is in response "to the request of the Government of Lebanon to extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a new period of one year without amendment," the 15- member council said in a resolution adopted here. The mandate renewal will continue to reiterate its "strong support for territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon," it said. The council reaffirms "its commitment to the full implementation of all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006), and aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in the resolution," said the resolution. The Resolution 1701, which ended the Israel-Hezbollah War in 2006, prohibits storing weapons in the security zone between the Litani River and the Blue Line, which is the Lebanese-Israeli border. The area is under the observation of UNIFIL. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for "maximum restraint" over the rocket attack fired from Lebanon's Tyre area that targeted northern Israel, an area within UNIFIL's operations and a clear violation of the resolution guidelines. UNIFIL was established in line with a UN resolution following Israel's invasion to Lebanon on March 15, 1978. Its mandate is to ensure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area.