The Security Council adopted a resolution last Thursday night calling for an “immediate increase” in the number of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops from 6,000 to 7,000. The vote was 13-0. The Soviet Union and Poland abstained.
The resolution included the text of Security Council Resolution 425 which established UNIFIL in 1978, and urged Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar to undertake a new initiative to reactivate the 1949 armistice accord between Israel and Lebanon which limits men and arms on both sides of the border.
Jeane Kirkpatrick, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, told the Council: “The cycle of violence that afflicts the area (south Lebanon) is profoundly damaging to the security, peace and well-being of the region. We expect that the reinforced troops will be able more effectively to deal with the incursions and violations of all kinds and from all sources.”
According to diplomatic sources here, the beefing up of UNIFIL troops will start this week. UNIFIL is presently composed of troops from France, Nigeria, Holland, Fiji, Ghana, Ireland, Nepal, Norway, Senegal, Italy and Sweden. The additional 1,000 troops, the sources said, will come from countries already participating in the force.
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