S/PV.2719 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them documents S/18396 and Cort.1 , containing the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. . After consultations among members of the security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: *The members of the security Council have noted with appreciation the report submitted by the Secretary-General (S/13996 and Corr.1) in conformity with Security Council resolution 587 (1986) requesting him to take any further measures needed to enhance the security of the men of the United N&ions Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and to make the necessary arrangements for a deployment of the Force to the southern border of Lebanon. “They express their gravest concern that the basic objectives of Security Council resolution 425 (1978) have not yet been achieved. "The members of the Council take note of the consultations initiated by the Secretary-General with the parties concerned and others with a view to the implementation of the mandate of UNIFIL. While they regret that the consultations aimed at implementing resolution 425 (1978) have thus far failed to yield practical results , the members of the Council reauest the Secretary-General activeljr to pursue his eontactu. ‘They note the new security measures decided upon since the adoption of the resolution. They recuest the Secretary-General to suggest any other steps he may deem necessary for increased security in connection with the movements of the Force indispensable for the fulfilment of their mandate. They approve the proposals submitted by the Secretary-General in his report, and his intention to seek the approval of the General Assembly for necessary budgetary appropriation. In that connection, they call on all countries to assume their financial responsibilities towards ONIFIL and on the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to expedite the reimbursement of the advances of funds made by the contributor countries. “They note with interest the instructions given by the Secretary-General to the Commander of UNIFIL to keep under continuous review all the possibilities of varying the size and deployment of contingents if that would strengthen their security without jeopardizinq the effectiveness of the Force. They request the Secretary-General to study these possibilities in consultation with the contributing countries and to put appropriate measures into ef feet. *In that regard, they have noted with satisfaction the intention expressed by the Lebanese authorities to deploy a regular unit of their army in the UNIPIL zone to work in close liaison with the Fcrce in accordance with the provisions of resolution 425 (1978), “Once again, the members of the security Council urge all the parties concerned to give full support to the Force in the fulfilment of its mandate and also call for an end to any military presence in southern Lebanon which is not accepted by the Lebanese authorities. They call on the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts to secure the full and effective implementation of (The President) The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. Since only a few hours remain in this month, I should like to extend my thanks to all the members of the Council for their co-operation with the delegation of the United Arab Emirates during its presidency of the Security Council and to wish the next President a successful month. The meeting rose at 12.30 p.m. (The President)