UN Security Council Resolutions: Resolution 498

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 427 (1978), 434 (1978), 444 (1979), 450 (1979), 459 (1979), 467 (1980), 483 (1980), 488 (1981) and 490 (1981),

Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon of 11 December 1981 (S/14789), and taking note of the conclusions and recommendations expressed therein,

Noting the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General, dated 14 December 1981 (S/14792),

Convinced that the deterioration of the present situation has serious consequences for peace and security in the Middle East,

1. Reaffirms its resolution 425 (1978) in which it

(i) Calls for strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognised boundaries;

(ii) Calls upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory;

(iii) Decides, in the light of the request of the Government of Lebanon, to establish immediately under its authority a United Nations interim force for southern Lebanon for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring international peace and security and assisting the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area, the force to be composed of personnel drawn from Member States;

2. Reaffirms its past resolutions and particularly its repeated calls upon all concerned for the strict respect of Lebanon's political independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity;

3. Reiterates the Council's determination to implement resolution 425 (1978) in the totality of the area of operations assigned to UNIFIL up to the internationally recognized boundaries so that UNIFIL may fulfil its deployment and so that UNTSO may resume its normal functions, unhindered, under the provisions of the General Armistice Agreement of 1949;

4. Calls upon all concerned to work towards the consolidation of the cease-fire called for by the Security Council in resolution 490 (1981) of 21 July 1981, and reiterate its condemnation of all actions contrary to the provisions of relevant resolutions;

5. Calls attention to the terms of reference and general guidelines of UNIFIL, as stated in the report of the Secretary-General of 19 March 1978 (S/12611) confirmed by resolution 426 (1978), and particularly:

(a) That "the Force must be able to function as an integrated and efficient military unit";

(b) That "the Force must enjoy the freedom of movement and communication and other facilities that are necessary for the performance of its tasks";

(c) That the Force "shall not use force except in self-defence";

(d) That "self-defence would include resistance to attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council";

6. Supports the efforts of the Lebanese Government in the civilian and military fields of rehabilitation and reconstruction in southern Lebanon, and supports, in particular, the restoration of Lebanese government authority in that region and deployment of substantial contingents of the Lebanese army in the area of operations of UNIFIL;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his discussions with the Government of Lebanon, with a view to establishing a joint phased programme of activities to be carried out during the present mandate of UNIFIL, aimed at the total implementation of resolution 425 (1978), and to report periodically to the Council;

8. Decides to renew the mandate of the Force for six months, that is, until 19 June 1982;

9. Commends the efforts of the Secretary-General and the performance of UNIFIL, as well as the support of the troop-contributing Governments, and of all Member States who have assisted the Secretary- General, his staff, and UNIFIL, in discharging their responsibilies under the mandate;

10. Decides to remain seized of the question and to review, within two months, the situation as a whole in the light of the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General, dated 14 December 1981 (S/14792).

Sources: The United Nations