United Nations Security Council Resolution 498 – Israel-Lebanon

Resolution 498 (1981) of 18 December 1981

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 425 ( 1978), 426 ( 1978), 427 ( 1978), 434 (1978), 444 ( I 979), 450 ( 1979), 459 ( 1979). 467 (1980), 474 ( I 980), 483 ( 1980), 488 (1981) and 490 ( 1981 ),

Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon of 11 December 1981,” and taking note of the conclusions and recommendations expressed therein,

Taking note of the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General dated 14 December 198 I.,.

Convinced that the deterioration of the present situation has serious consequences for peace and security in the Middle East,

1. Reaffirms its resolution 425 (1978), in which it (a) Calls for strict respect for the territorial integrity. sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries;

(b) Calls upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory;

(c) Decides, in the light of the request of the Govern-ment of Lebanon. to establish immediately under its authority a United Nations interim force for southern Lebanon for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring international peace and security and assisting the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area, the force to be composed of personnel drawn from Member States;

2. Reaffirms its past resolutions and particularly its repeated calls upon all concerned for the strict respect of the political independence, unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon;

3. Reiterates its determination to implement resolution 425 (1978) in the totality of the area of operation assigned to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon up to the internationally recognized boundaries so that the Force may fulfil its deployment and so that the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization may resume its normal functions, unhindered, under the provisions of the General Armistice Agreement of 1949; 1′

4. Calls upon all concerned to work towards the consolidation of the cease-fire called for by the Security Council in resolution 490 ( 1981) and reiterates its condemnation of all actions contrary to the provisions of the relevant resolutions;

5. Calls attention to the terms of reference and general guidelines of the Force, as stated in the report of the Secretary-General of 19 March 1978″‘ confirmed by resolu-tion 426 (1978), and particularly:

(a) That the Force “must be able to function as an integrated and efficient military unit”;

(b) That the Force “must enjoy the freedom of move-ment and communication and other facilities that are necessary for the performance of its tasks”;

(c) That the Force “will not use force except in self-defence”;

(d) That “self-defence would include resistance to attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council”;

6. Suppose the efforts of the Government of Lebanon in the civilian and military fields of rehabilitation and reconstruction in southern Lebanon, and supports, in particular, the restoration of the authority of the Government of Lebanon in that region and deployment of substantial contingents of the Lebanese army in the area of operation of the Force;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his discussions with the Government of Lebanon, with a view to establishing a joint phased programme of activities to be carried out during the present mandate of the Force, aimed at the total implementation of resolution 425 (1978), and to report periodically to the Security Council;

8. Decides to renew the mandate of the Force for six months, that is, until 19 June 1982;

9. Commends the efforts of the Secretary-General and the performance of the Force, as well as the support of the troop-contributing Governments, and of all Member States who have assisted the Secretary-General, his staff and the Force in discharging their responsibilities under the mandate;

10. Decides to remain seized of the question and to review, within two months, the situation as a whole in the light of the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General dated 14 December 1981.

Adopted at the 2320th meeting by 13 votes to none. with 2 abstentions (German Democratic Republic, Union of(Soviet Socialist Republics).