United Nations Security Council Resolution 1773 – Middle East

Resolution 1773 (2007)

The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006) and 1701 (2006), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon, in particular the statement of 3 August 2007 (S/PRST/2007/29),

Recalling also the report of the Secretary-General of 28 June 2007 (S/2007/392) and the letter from the Secretary-General to its President of 2 August 2007 (S/2007/470),

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders and under the sole and exclusive authority of its Government,

Reiterating its strong support for full respect for the cessation of hostilities and the Blue Line in its entirety,

Reaffirming its attachment to the full implementation of all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006), and aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in the resolution,

Emphasizing the need to address the causes of the conflict, including that the abducted Israeli soldiers have not been released, nor has proof of life been provided, and calling once again for their immediate and unconditional return,

Encouraging the efforts aimed at urgently settling the issue of the Lebanese prisoners detained in Israel,

Welcoming the steps taken by the Government of Lebanon to extend its authority over its territory, through its own legitimate armed forces, such that there will be no weapons without the consent of the Government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the Government of Lebanon, and encouraging it to continue its efforts in this regard,

Welcoming also the tripartite arrangements referred to in the aforementioned report, and encouraging the parties to coordinate further with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), notably to visibly mark the Blue Line and reach an agreement on the northern part of Ghajar,

Condemning in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks against UNIFIL and emphasizing the need for further coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in particular regarding the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL, and for UNIFIL to enhance its investigative capacities in response to these attacks,

Underlining the importance of continued efforts to clear unexploded ordnance from Southern Lebanon and calling on all parties to support these efforts,

Reaffirming UNIFIL’s authority to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind and to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its mandate,

Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel,

Commending the active role and dedication of the personnel of UNIFIL, notably of its Commander, as well as of the Special Coordinator of the United Nations for Lebanon,

Expressing its strong appreciation to Member states that contribute to UNIFIL and underlining the necessity that UNIFIL have at its disposal all necessary means and equipment to carry out its mandate,

Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon to extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a new period of one year without amendment presented in the letter from the Lebanese Prime Minister to the Secretary-General of 25 June 2007 (S/2007/396),

Determining that the situation in Lebanon continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

1. Decides to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2008;

2. Commends the positive role of UNIFIL, whose deployment together with the Lebanese Armed Forces has helped to establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon, and looks forward to its increased cooperation with the LAF in the discharge of its mandate;

3. Calls upon all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities and the Blue Line in its entirety;

4. Urges all parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL and to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel, including by avoiding any course of action which endangers United Nations personnel and by ensuring UNIFIL is accorded full freedom of movement within its area of operation;

5. Calls upon all parties to cooperate fully with the Security Council and the Secretary-General to achieve a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in resolution 1701 (2006), and emphasizes the need for greater progress in this regard;

6. Reiterates its intention to consider further steps to contribute to the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution;

7. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNIFIL to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Council on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) every four months, or at any time as he deems appropriate;

9. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, and 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5733rd meeting, on 24 August 2007.