S/RES/2004 extends the mandate of UNIFIL at the request of the Lebanese government for a period of a year, until August 30, 2012. The resolution has all of the usual characteristics that a peacekeeping resolution has, it urges all parties to refrain from violence, to respect the boundaries established by the mission beforehand and condemns all acts of terrorism from all parties. There are also calls for the completion of an investigation launched in May, as well as the recalling of the importance of comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. All in all, the resolution contains all the usual suspects for an extension of mandate that does not rock the boat.
Preamble
The document initiates by recalling its previous resolutions on Lebanon and it takes S/RES/1701 (2006) as one of the main document that it is based on. It also responds to the request of the local government to extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a period of one year without amendments. It also reiterates the strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon while reaffirming its commitment to the full of implementation of a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution. It further calls upon all concerned parties to strengthen their efforts, while expressing deep concern at all violations in connection with S/RES/1701 and grave violations of May 15 and August 1.
The preamble also commends the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL on steps taken to prevent escalation of violence and emphasizes the importance of full compliance, further recalls the importance that all parties respect the Blue Line. For that sense, it condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks against UNIFIL peacekeepers and the determination to ensure that no such acts of intimidation will prevent the mission from implementing its mandate. It also recalls the relevant principles contained in a Convention of Safety of UN and Associated Personnel and further commends the active role and dedication of the personnel of the mission. There is also a recalling of the request from the Lebanese Government to deploy international force to assist it to exercise its authority.
The document still welcomes the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including the Lebanese mission under close review. It further calls upon the member States to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces as needed to enable it to perform its duties in line with S/RES/1701. It also determines that the situation in Lebanon continues to be a threat to international peace and security.
Operative Clauses
The operative clauses start with the extension of the present mandate of the mission until August 31, 2012 and commends the positive role of UNIFIL in establishing a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon and welcomes the expansion of coordinated activities between the local authorities and the UN ones. There is also a welcoming of the engagement of UNIFIL and Lebanese Armed Forces in the Strategic dialogue and requests the Secretary-General to conduct a review of it before the end of the year. It further strongly calls upon all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities to prevent any violation of the Blue Line.
There is also a condemnation in the strongest terms of all terrorist attacks against UNIFIL and urges all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of the mission. It also urges all parties to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and urges the Israeli government to expedite the withdrawal of its army from northern Ghajar in coordination with UNIFIL. The resolution still reaffirms its call on all states to fully support and respect the establishment and limits of the Blue Line and welcomes the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and ensure full compliance of its personnel with the UN code of conduct.
The document further requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Council on the implementation of S/RES/1701 every four months. In this sense, it also stresses the importance and the need to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the region. It closes the document by deciding to remain actively seized of the matter.
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