S/PV.2144 Security Council

Before proceeding with the business before the Council this evening, I shot$d $ke to take this opportunity to express to Ambassador Algard of Norway on behalf of all members of the Council our very sincere appreciation for the most capable and efficient manner in which he served as President of the Council during the month of April. Only four formal meetings of the Council were held during that month and, although they were all unusually brief, the President of the Security Council was, during the full month, in constant touch with all members of the Council and with parties interested in a variety of delicate and important issues. His dedication, his statesmanship and the sense of order which he brought to bear were highly appreciated by us all. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted The situation in the Middle East: Letter dated 7 May 1979 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/13301)

As a result of the consultations held with members of the Council, I should like now to make the “Since the President’s statement was read out to the Council on 26 April 1979 [214Ist meet&I, grave events have occurred in Southern Lebanon which have merely served to show the precarious and fragile situation in that area. That the situation is not even worse is due largely to the presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, whose forces are trying to fulfil their mandate in extremely difftcult conditions and with an exemplary dedication admired by us all. This was particularly underlined in the report of the Secretary-General to the Council of 9 May 1979, contained in document S/13308. “In view of the gravity of these events the Government of Lebanon has decided to request the Council to give further consideration to the situation and has acwrdingly addressed to me the letter contained in document s/13301. “Members have been informed of the steps taken in recent days under the auspices of the Council to secure a rapid improvement in that situation. These efforts seem to have produced some results. Talks have resumed between the representatives of the United Nations and the Government of Israel on various points that it is essential to try to settle if the Force is to carry out its mandate successfully. “These talks must be pursued with perseverance but in an atmosphere conducive to the full implementation of resolutions 425 (1978) and 444 (1979). “As it has done since the events that led to the establishment of the Force, the Council is following the situation with the deepest attention and concern. “I am confident that the Council will be meeting at an early date to debate this question and to take any action warranted by developments in the situation. “In the absence of any objections to this line of action, the President of the Council will proceed with his present diplomatic efforts.‘* 3. As no member of the Council wishes to speak, I propose to adjourn this meeting. The Council will remain seized of the question before it and will meet again whenever further consideration appears to be necessary. The meeting rose at 5.30 p.m HOW TO OBTAIN UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATIONS Unite 1 Nations publications may be obtained from bookstores and distributors throughout the world. Consult your bookstore or write to: United Nations, Sales Section, New York or Geneva. COMMENT SE PROCURER LES PUBLICATIONS DES NATIONS UNIES Les publications des Nations Unies sent en vents dans les libreiries et les agences depositaires du mondc entier. Informez-vous aupres de votre libraire ou adresses-vous a : Nations Unies. Section des ventes, New York ou Geneve. KAK IIOJIYllHTb IISLIAHZIR OPI-AH&i 3A4HH OG-bE&HHEHHbIX HAWill COMO CONSEGUIR PUBLICACIONES DE LAS NACIONES UNIDAS Las publicaciones de las Naciones Unidas estan en venta en librerias y casas distribuidoras en todas partes de1 mundo. Cons&e a su librero o dirfjase a: Naciones Unidas, Secci6n de Ventas, Nueva York o Ginebra. Litho ia United Nations, New York Rice: $U.S. 1.50 79-70002-March 1982-2.250