UNIFIL mandate renewed until July 1990.

• Position: United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

The mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was extended for a further six month period until 31 july 1990 by a unanimous decision of the Security Council taken on 31 january. The 12-year-old UN peace-keeping force, currently numbering 5,876, is commanded by Lieutenant-General Lars-Eric Wahlgren, a national of Sweden.

In its resolution 648 1990), the Council 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, in its tasks of confirming withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring international peace and security, and assisting the Government of Lebanon in ensuring its effective authority in the area.

The Secretary-General reported (SI21102) that UNIFIL remained unable to implement its mandate. Positions occupied by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and those of the defacto forces (DFF) or so-called "South Lebanon Army" (SLA) had again increased. Israel had further strengthened its hold on the so called "security zone'-also known to UNIFIL as the "Israel controlled area" ICA)-and had introduced there some elements of a civilian administration in which a leading role was given to DFE Also, attempts by "armed elements" to infiltrate Israel had continued, as had air...