New York: Europe and the Arabs
The UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), with the support of 13 members and Russia and China abstaining from voting. According to the United Nations news bulletin, of which we received a copy on Friday morning

Resolution No. 2695 reaffirmed that the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon “does not need prior authorization or authorization to carry out the tasks assigned to it, and that UNIFIL is authorized to conduct its operations independently, while continuing to coordinate with the Lebanese government.”

This amendment to the mission's mandate was introduced for the first time in the extension decision adopted in August last year.

The resolution also called on the parties to refrain from placing any restrictions and obstacles to the movement of UNIFIL forces and to guarantee the mission’s freedom of movement, “including by allowing it to conduct announced and unannounced patrols.”

He urged all parties to cooperate fully with the mission to implement Resolution 1701, as well as to ensure full respect for its freedom of movement in all its operations and access to the Blue Line in all its parts, without obstacles.

The Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attempts to deny access or restrict the freedom of movement of UNIFIL personnel, as well as all attacks, acts of harassment, intimidation and disinformation campaigns against the mission.

He also called on the Lebanese government to facilitate immediate and full access to the sites requested by UNIFIL for the purpose of conducting rapid investigations, including to all sites linked to the detection of tunnels crossing the Blue Line and unauthorized shooting ranges, in line with Resolution 1701, while respecting Lebanese sovereignty.

The Council urged all parties to commit to respecting the safety of UNIFIL forces and other United Nations personnel in Lebanon, and called on them to take all appropriate measures in this regard. He reiterated his call for closer cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and for the rapid completion of investigations initiated by Lebanon regarding all attacks against UNIFIL and its personnel.

Resolution 2695 reaffirmed its call for all states to provide full support and respect for the establishment of a zone “free of any armed individuals, assets and weapons” except those belonging to the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL south of the Litani River, and condemned the continued retention of weapons by armed groups outside the control of the Lebanese state in violation of Resolution 1701.

He urged greater international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and all state security institutions, “which are the only legitimate armed forces in Lebanon,” including for daily logistical needs, maintenance, counter-terrorism, border protection, and maritime capabilities.

The Security Council also condemned all violations of the Blue Line, and called on all parties to respect their obligations under international law as well as to cease hostilities, to prevent any further violation, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL in this regard.

He also strongly urged the Government of Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from the north of Ghajar village and the adjacent area north of the Blue Line without further delay, in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.