Lebanon force mandate extended.

Lebanon Force mandate extended

The Security Council on 29 January extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a period of six months--until 31 July 1988. The 5,811-strong Force, established in March 1978, is commanded by Major-General Gustav Hagglund. In unanimously adopting resolution 609 (1988), the Council again reiterated strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries. All parties concerned were called on to co-operate fully with the Force for full implementation of its mandate.

Lebanon told the Secretary-General it was convinced that in spite of the difficult conditions in southern Lebanon, the presence of the Force was "highly necessary" and an important factor of stability in the region.

Mr. Perez de Cuellar said that although the state of affairs in which the Force found itself 10 years after its establishment was very unsatisfactory and contrary to the Council's expectations, he felt obliged to support the Lebanese request. He found UNIFIL an important mechanism for conflict control in a very volatile situation, without which a wider conflict might result.

The Force represented Lebanese legality in the area as well as the United Nations commitment to support Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. also underlined the international community's resolve to help to bring about the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory as a step towards the restoration of...