Serving On Mission
Lebanon
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria
Capital: Beirut
Population: 3,971,941 (July 2008 est.)
Following the capture of Syria from the Ottoman Empire by Anglo-French forces in 1918, France received a mandate over this territory and separated out the region of Lebanon in 1920. France granted this area independence in 1943. A lengthy civil war (1975-1990) devastated the country, but Lebanon has since made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions. Under the Ta’if Accord – the blueprint for national reconciliation – the Lebanese established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater voice in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions in the government. Since the end of the war, Lebanon has conducted several successful elections. Most militias have been disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, a radical Shi’a organization listed by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, retains its weapons.
During Lebanon’s civil war, the Arab League legitimized in the Ta’if Accord Syria’s troop deployment, numbering about 16,000 based mainly east of Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley. Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon in May 2000 and the passage in October 2004 of UNSCR 1559 – a resolution calling for Syria to withdraw from Lebanon and end its interference in Lebanese affairs – encouraged some Lebanese groups to demand that Syria withdraw its forces as well. The assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq HARIRI and 20 others in February 2005 led to massive demonstrations in Beirut against the Syrian presence (“the Cedar Revolution”), and Syria withdrew the remainder of its military forces in April 2005. In May-June 2005, Lebanon held its first legislative elections since the end of the civil war free of foreign interference, handing a majority to the bloc led by Saad HARIRI, the slain prime minister’s son.
Lebanon continues to be plagued by violence – Hizballah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers in July 2006 leading to a 34-day conflict with Israel. The LAF in May-September 2007 battled Sunni extremist group Fatah al-Islam in the Nahr al-Barid Palestinian refugee camp; and the country has witnessed a string of politically motivated assassinations since the death of Rafiq HARIRI. Lebanese politicians in November 2007 were unable to agree on a successor to Emile LAHUD when he stepped down as president, creating a political vacuum.
UNIFIL Mandate
According to Security Council resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, UNIFIL was established to:
1. Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon;
2. Restore international peace and security;
3. Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.
According to Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August 2006, UNIFIL, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426, shall:
1. Monitor the cessation of hostilities;
2. Accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the South, including along the Blue Line, as Israel withdraws its armed forces from Lebanon;
3. Coordinate its activities referred to in the preceding paragraph (above) with the Government of Lebanon and the Government of Israel;
4. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons;
5. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani river of an free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and of UNIFIL deployed in this area;
6. Assist the Government of Lebanon, at its request, in securing its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel.
By this resolution, the Council also authorized UNIFIL 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; to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council; and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence.
Contacting The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
Calling Through The U.S.A
SwitchBoard: + 1-212-963-30003/4
Fax: + 1-212-963-3079
Access From United Nations Headquarters: 69+33008+ UNIFIL Extn.
Contacting UNIFIL From overseas
SwitchBoard: + 961-1-827000
Fax: + 961 -1-827537
+ 961 -1-827482/3
Direct Inward Dialing: + 961-1-827 + Last 3 Digits Of Extn. Number
Contacting UNIFIL through ISRAEL
SwitchBoard: +972 4 951 5000
Fax +972 4 951 5482/3
Fax +972 4 951 5537
Direct Inward Dialing: +972 4 951 +Extn. UNIFIL Intermission Number
UNIFIL Prefix UNLB Access 162 5000
UNIFIL Prefix UNLB Access FAX 162 5537/40
UNIFIL Prefix UNHQ Access 85-3-3003
UNIFIL Prefix UNHQ Access FAX 85-3-3079
Mailing Address
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
PO Box 5852 Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163-5852
U.S.A.
Beirut Mailing Address
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
P.O Box 7476
Beirut
LEBANON
OR
P.O Box 199
Tyre
SOUTH LEBANON
