Explanation of Vote on the Adoption of Resolution 1773 to Extend UNIFIL's Mandate

USUN PRESS RELEASE #195 (Remarks as delivered)

Mr. President,

The United States welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 1773 to extend the mandate of UNIFIL for one year. This vote is a clear signal of the Council's support for the UN peacekeepers on the ground in south Lebanon and of its commitment to the full implementation of resolution 1701.

Although the primary aim of this technical resolution is to extend the mandate of UNIFIL, it also reaffirms the Council's resolutions on Lebanon, including 1559, 1680, and 1701, as well as the three Presidential Statements on Lebanon adopted since last summer.

We commend the progress that has been achieved since the adoption of resolution 1701 last summer. The Lebanese Armed Forces have deployed throughout the country for the first time in 30 years. Together with the reinforced UNIFIL, the LAF has helped to create a new strategic reality in south Lebanon.

At the same time, the deadly June 24 attack against UNIFIL and the June 17 rocket attack against Israel demonstrate that there are unauthorized armed elements and weapons in south Lebanon and that they pose a danger both to regional stability and the safety of UN personnel. In this regard, we reiterate our condolences to the families, colleagues and governments of those peacekeepers killed in the line of duty.

We welcome UNIFIL's intention to redouble its efforts to carry out its mandate in response to these attacks, especially in terms of coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. We urge UNIFIL and the LAF to move quickly to establish joint patrols and co-located checkpoints, particularly along the Litani River, to ensure that no unauthorized weapons are transferred into south Lebanon. We look forward to hearing more from the Secretary-General on these efforts in his next report.

These and other threats to peace, as well as the violence perpetrated by Fatah al-Islam in the north of Lebanon, underscore the need to fully implement the provisions of the Taif Accords and resolution 1559 calling for the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militia. Peace will never be fully secured until this call is met.

We also reiterate our deep concern about continued illegal weapons transfers across the Syrian-Lebanese border in violation of resolution 1701. These weapons transfers directly threaten both the stability of Lebanon and the safety of UN peacekeepers. We join the Secretary-General in calling, yet again, on Syria and Iran to honor their obligations under the arms embargo established under resolution 1701.

Mr. President, one year has now passed since the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizballah and the adoption of resolution 1701. While we are pleased by the progress that has been achieved, we deplore the fact that the cause of this conflict, namely Hizballah's abduction of the two Israeli soldiers, has not been resolved. This Council must not relent in demanding progress on this issue, as well as all the others required for a cease-fire and long-term solution between Israel and Lebanon, in order to fulfill the promise of the resolution we adopted last summer.