UN Council extends Lebanon peace force for year

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 24 (Reuters) The Security Council voted unanimously today to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, by a year to August 31, 2008.

UNIFIL has been in Lebanon since 1978 but was greatly expanded following last year's war between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. It currently has 11,500 troops and a 2,000-strong naval force from more than 30 nations.

The resolution urged UNIFIL to increase its cooperation with the Lebanese army and said the Security Council would consider ''further steps'' to help turn the current ''cessation of hostilities'' in Lebanon into a permanent cease-fire.

It did not identify the steps.

Despite the unanimous vote, South Africa and Russia criticised attempts by other countries to bring what they considered irrelevant issues into the debate, reflecting disagreements in the council over wider Middle East matters.

South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo told the council his country would have preferred a simple rollover of the mandate that did not include ''unrelated sensitive issues'' that he said were ''selectively chosen.'' He did not elaborate, but the resolution mentions the continued holding by Hezbollah of two abducted Israeli soldiers and the detention of Lebanese prisoners by Israel, as well as condemning ''terrorist'' attacks against UNIFIL.

Russian envoy Igor Shcherbak criticized his US counterpart, Alejandro Wolff, for mentioning in his speech the alleged smuggling of arms into Lebanon from Syria. Wolff later told reporters this was relevant because smuggled arms were used against UNIFIL troops.

In Beirut, Lebanese Information Minister Ghazi Aridi told Reuters: ''We welcome the news and it corresponds with the Lebanese government's request. This decision affirms the cooperation between the United Nations and the Lebanese government.'' Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman also welcomed the resolution in comments to reporters.

REUTERS GT BD2207