Secretary General Javier Perez de-Cuellar recommended today that the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) be extended for two more months. The current mandate of the force, which was last extended by the Security Council June 18, expires Thursday.
In a report to the Security Council, de-Cuellar said that extension of UNIFIL’s mandate was requested by the Lebanese government. He pointed out, however, that an extension was needed in view of the present situation in Lebanon.
“The overall situation in the area, the Secretary General reported, “remains uncertain and fraught with danger.” De-Cuellar said that he had been in constant touch with the government of Lebanon, which had indicated that in the existing circumstances UNIFIL should continue to be stationed in the area for on additional period of two months, pending further consideration of the situation in Lebanon by the Security Council.
The Secretary General said that UNIFIL has been “deeply engaged in extending protection and humanitarian aid” to the civilian population in Lebanon. He added: “There is no doubt in my mind that the presence of UNIFIL has provided an important stabilizing and moderating influence in south Lebanon during these difficult weeks.”
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