UN Council extends UNIFIL mandate by another year

United Nations, Aug 25 (UNI) The UN Security Council has renewed the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) by one more year and called on all parties in the region to play their part to turn last year's cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah into a permanent ceasefire and a more durable solution.

In a unanimous vote yesterday, the Council members agreed to extend UNIFIL until August 31, 2008, saying the deployment of the peacekeeping mission ''together with the Lebanese Armed Forces has helped establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon''.

They also called on all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities and the sanctity of the 'Blue Line' between Israel and Lebanon.

First created in 1978, UNIFIL's mandate and size were enhanced last year in the wake of the deadly conflict between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Hizbollah, and yesterday's resolution urged all sides to cooperate fully with the mission and to do their utmost to respect the safety of UN personnel in the region.

In June, a UN patrol in southern Lebanon was struck by a bomb, killing six Spanish peacekeepers and seriously wounding two other UN peacekeepers known as 'Blue Helmets' after the colour of the helmet they wear.

Last month, an explosion occurred near a UNIFIL vehicle but there were no casualties.

In addition to its original mandate, UNIFIL now has responsibility, among other tasks, to monitor the cessation of hostilities; support the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed in the southern part of the country; and help ensure humanitarian access to civilians as well as the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

The mission currently fields more than 13,000 troops out of its increased ceiling of 15,000.

UNI