The Security Council last night extended the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another six months. The vote was-12-0 with two abstentions, the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia China did not participate in the voting. The new UNIFIL mandate will expire in June 1980. UNIFIL is supervising the peace in southern Lebanon. The 6000-troop force was established March 1978 by the Security Council to check on the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and to help restore the control of the Lebanese government over the area.
Meanwhile, it was announced here yesterday that Lt. Gen. Ensio Siilasvuo, head of the UN peacekeeping force in the Mideast, will step down at the end of this year after 12 years of service with the UN. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim said that the post held. by Siilasvuo will be discontinued.
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