Security Council Extends UNIFIL Mandate by One Year

The U.N. Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year, with no major operational changes.

In a resolution unanimously adopted, the 15-member body urged all parties to abide by their obligations and respect the safety of the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

The council called on all parties concerned to respect the “cessation of hostilities, prevent any violation of the Blue Line and cooperate fully with UNIFIL, the Council and the Secretary-General in order to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution.”

It also reiterated calls on Israel to withdraw its army from northern Ghajar “without further delay.”

On August 14, Lebanon filed a complaint against the Jewish state's violation of the Blue Line.

The complaint came in light of a landmine blast along the northern border with Lebanon that injured four Israeli soldiers.

The complaint considered that the Israeli penetration violates Lebanon's sovereignty, United Nation's Security Council Resolution 1701, the International law and threatens Lebanon's civil peace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said later that “Israel will continue to act responsibly to secure its border.”The Security Council Resolution 1701 ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbullah.