Friday, August 30, 2013

Security Council Adopts Resolution 2115 (2013), Authorizing Year-long Mandate Extension for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

 
29 August 2013
Security Council
SC/11106

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

Security Council

7025th Meeting (AM)

Security Council Adopts Resolution 2115 (2013), Authorizing Year-long Mandate Extension for United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon

 

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 August 2014, with no major operational changes.

 

Unanimously adopting resolution 2115 (2013), the 15-member body urged all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligations to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel.  It also called strongly upon all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities, prevent any violation of the Blue Line and cooperate fully with UNIFIL, the Council and the Secretary-General in order to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution, as envisioned in Council resolution 1701 (2006).

 

Further by the text, the Council urged Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from northern Ghajar without further delay, in coordination with UNIFIL.  It was also encouraged by the progress between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in creating a regular mechanism for strategic dialogue to analyse ground forces and maritime assets in order to identify the latter's requirements for implementing tasks mandated by resolution 1701 (1966).

 

In a letter to the Council President dated 31 July (document S/2013/457), the Secretary-General requests the Council to consider a one-year extension of UNIFIL's mandate, due to expire on 31 August.  He states that the General Assembly appropriated $492.6 million to the Special Account for UNIFIL to maintain the Force from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014.  As of 30 June, $35.6 million was owed to the Account, and $12.7 million was owed to troop-contributing Member States.

 

He notes in his latest report to the Council on implementing resolution 1701 (2006) that the situation in UNIFIL's area of operation has remained stable and quiet, but expresses concern over growing sectarian tensions due to the crisis in Syria.

 

The meeting began at 10:15 a.m. and ended at 10:18 a.m.

 

Resolution

The full text of resolution 2115 (2013) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006), 1701 (2006), 1773 (2007), 1832 (2008), 1884 (2009), 1937 (2010) and 2004 (2011), 2064 (2012), as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon,

 

"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 a letter from the Lebanese Foreign Minister to the Secretary-General of 12 July 2013 and welcoming the letter from the Secretary-General to its President of 31 July 2013 (S/2013/457) recommending this extension,

"Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon,

"Reaffirming its commitment 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,

"Calling upon all concerned parties to strengthen their efforts to fully implement all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) without delay,

"Expressing deep concern at all violations in connection with resolution 1701 (2006), and looking forward to the rapid finalization of UNIFIL's investigations with a view to preventing such violations in the future,

"Welcoming the constructive role played by the tripartite mechanism in de-escalating tensions and expressing its support for the efforts of UNIFIL to engage with both parties to further develop liaison and coordination arrangements,

"Emphasizing the importance of full compliance with the prohibition on sales and supply of arms and related materiel established by resolution 1701 (2006),

"Recalling the utmost importance that all parties concerned respect the Blue Line in its entirety, welcoming the continued progress in the marking of the Blue Line, and encouraging the parties to accelerate their efforts in coordination with UNIFIL to visibly mark the Blue Line in its entirety, as well as to move forward on the marking of its points of contention, as recommended by the Strategic Review,

"Condemning in the strongest terms all attempts to threaten the security and stability of Lebanon, reaffirming its determination to ensure that no such acts of intimidation will prevent UNIFIL from implementing its mandate in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and recalling the necessity for all parties to ensure that UNIFIL personnel are secure and their freedom of movement is fully respected and unimpeded,

"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 and 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,

"Recalling the request from the Government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory and reaffirming UNIFIL's authority to take all necessary action in areas of operations 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,

"Welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General to keep all peacekeeping operations, including UNIFIL, under close review and stressing the need for the Council to pursue a rigorous, strategic approach to peacekeeping deployments,

"Expressing its full support for the strategic priorities and recommendations identified by the Secretary-General in his letter of 12 March 2012 (S/2012/151) as a result of the Strategic Review of UNIFIL, and requesting the Secretary-General to continue updating the Council on the implementation of the Strategic Review,

"Calling upon Member States to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces as needed to enable it to perform its duties in line with resolution 1701 (2006),

"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 2014;

"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, welcomes the expansion of coordinated activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese armed forces and calls for further enhancement of this cooperation;

"3.   Welcomes, in this regard, the engagement of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in the Strategic Dialogue which aims at carrying out analysis of ground forces and maritime assets and setting a series of benchmarks reflecting the correlation between the capacities and responsibilities of UNIFIL vis-à-vis those of the Lebanese Armed Forces, with a view to identifying Lebanese Armed Forces requirements for implementing tasks mandated in resolution 1701 (2006), and, in this regard, is encouraged by the progress made in the formalization of a regular Strategic Dialogue mechanism between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL;

"4.   Commends, in this context, the Lebanese Armed Forces for its efforts regarding its wider capabilities development plan, of which the Strategic Dialogue plan forms a separate but integral component, consistent with the relevant recommendations of the Strategic Review and consequently calls for an enhancement of the coordination amongst donors to provide assistance to build up Lebanese Armed Forces capabilities, including through training, as these forces are a central pillar of the country's stability;

"5.   Strongly calls upon all parties concerned to respect the cessation of hostilities, to prevent any violation of the Blue Line and to respect it in its entirety and to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL;

"6.   Urges all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel and to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL is fully respected and unimpeded, in conformity with its mandate and its rules of engagement, including by avoiding any course of action which endangers United Nations personnel, and in this regard, calls for further cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, in particular regarding coordinated and adjacent patrols, welcomes the commitment of the Lebanese authorities to protect UNIFIL movements and reiterates its call for the rapid finalization of the investigation launched by Lebanon regarding the 27 May, 26 July and 9 December 2011 attacks in order to bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks;

"7.   Urges all parties to cooperate fully with the Security Council and the Secretary-General to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in resolution 1701 (2006) and emphasizes that more work remains to be done by the parties to advance the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006);

"8.   Urges the Government of Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from northern Ghajar without further delay in coordination with UNIFIL, which has actively engaged Israel and Lebanon to facilitate such a withdrawal;

"9.   Reaffirms its call on all States to fully support and respect 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 UNIFIL;

"10.  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;

 

"11.  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;

"12.  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, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003, and 1850 (2008) of 16 December 2008;

"13.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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For information media • not an official record

Friday, August 23, 2013

Secretary-General, Greatly Concerned over Yesterday’s Rocket Attacks against Israel, Retaliatory Strikes, Urges Maximum Restraint

23 August 2013

Secretary-General
SG/SM/15234

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

 Secretary-General, Greatly Concerned over Yesterday's Rocket Attacks against Israel, Retaliatory Strikes, Urges Maximum Restraint

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

 

The Secretary-General is greatly concerned over yesterday's firing of rockets from the area of Tyre, within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) area of operations, towards Israel, which is a clear violation of resolution 1701 (2006).  UNIFIL is investigating the circumstances of the incident in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces.

 

The Secretary-General notes the retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces in Lebanon in the area of Na'ameh, and condemns any and all violations of resolution 1701 (2006).  He urges all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and cooperate with UNIFIL, in order to prevent an escalation.  The parties must fully adhere to resolution 1701 (2006) and respect the cessation of hostilities agreement.

 

The United Nations is committed to continuing to work with the parties to ensure that the calm that has prevailed continues to be sustained.

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For information media • not an official record
 

Secretary-General, Strongly Condemning Deadly Mosque Bombings in Tripoli, Urges Citizens throughout Lebanon to Maintain Unity, Calm, Order

23 August 2013

Secretary-General
SG/SM/15233

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

 Secretary-General, Strongly Condemning Deadly Mosque Bombings in Tripoli, Urges Citizens throughout Lebanon to Maintain Unity, Calm, Order

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

 

The Secretary-General strongly condemns the two bombs which exploded shortly after Friday prayers, outside two mosques in the north Lebanese city of Tripoli, leaving tens of people killed and hundreds injured.  He extends his condolences to the families of those killed and to the Government of Lebanon, and his sympathies to all those injured.

 

The Secretary-General calls on all Lebanese to exercise restraint, to remain united and to support their State institutions, particularly the security forces, in maintaining calm and order in Tripoli and throughout the country, and in preventing the recurrence of such destructive actions.

 

The Secretary-General hopes that those responsible for such cowardly acts of violence will be brought to justice as soon as possible.  He reiterates the determination of the international community to support Lebanon's security and stability.

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For information media • not an official record

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Letter dated 31 July 2013 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council

United Nations S/2013/457
Security Council Distr.: General
31 July 2013
Original: English

Further to my latest report to the Security Council concerning the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) (S/2013/381), I hereby request the Council to consider the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is due to expire on 31 August 2013. In a letter dated 12 July 2013 addressed to me, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lebanon requested that the Council extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of one year, without amendment.
UNIFIL continues to play a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in southern Lebanon, as well as full respect for the Blue Line by both Lebanon and Israel. In accordance with its mandate, UNIFIL continues to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces in taking steps towards the establishment, between the Blue Line and the Litani River, of an area free of any
unauthorized armed personnel, assets and weapons. UNIFIL remains engaged with the parties on the outstanding issue of northern Ghajar and continues to focus on all violations of resolution 1701 (2006), including ground and air violations. UNIFIL also takes all necessary action within its capabilities to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind. The UNIFIL Maritime Task Force continues to carry out its dual mandate of conducting maritime interdiction operations in the area of maritime operations and training Lebanese navy personnel.

Efforts are ongoing to ensure a comprehensive approach to the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) that integrates the endeavours of UNIFIL, the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations country team; to further involve the Government of Lebanon in the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006); and to further the strategic dialogue with, and increase the capacity of, the Lebanese Armed Forces. The latter is intended to facilitate the gradual assumption by the Lebanese Armed Forces of effective and sustainable security control of the UNIFIL area of operations and Lebanese territorial waters, as a key element in supporting moves towards a permanent ceasefire.
In a recent statement (S/PRST/2013/9), the President of the Security Council, speaking on behalf of the Council, highlighted the impact of the Syrian crisis on the stability and security of Lebanon and stressed the crucial role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces in responding to new security challenges, characterizing them as a central pillar of the country's stability. I underline the Council's call for increased international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, in response to the latter's recently-launched capabilities development plan as well as in the context of the strategic dialogue between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL.
Cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces on land and at sea continues to be essential for the implementation of the mandate of UNIFIL.
Despite the temporary redeployment of some units of the Lebanese Armed Forces from the South Litani Sector to elsewhere in the country, a substantial number of coordinated operational activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces continue to be conducted. UNIFIL has addressed the decreased physical presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the UNIFIL area of operations by increasing its operational activities. The current strength of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the
UNIFIL area of operations stands at approximately two brigades. The liaison and coordination arrangements of UNIFIL with the parties, including the tripartite mechanism, have facilitated a number of constructive and pragmatic measures. UNIFIL continues to build on its efforts to promote practical arrangements on the ground and understanding between the Lebanese Armed Forces
and the Israel Defense Forces in order to further stabilize the situation along the Blue Line, to remove pretexts and possible points of friction and to prevent future incidents and build trust. The process of visibly marking the Blue Line is proceeding with the marking of non-contentious points. The parties are continuing to give their full support to Blue Line marking as an essential confidence-building measure. UNIFIL has continued to ensure that the tripartite mechanism is as flexible as possible and enables the parties to discuss a wider range of issues. In this regard, the parties have agreed to discuss maritime security issues through the tripartite mechanism.

There has been no progress in the establishment of a UNIFIL office in Tel Aviv. The overall attitude of the local population towards UNIFIL remains positive.  This notwithstanding, incidents of unfriendly behaviour towards UNIFIL patrols and personnel and freedom of movement restrictions occasionally occur. UNIFIL will continue to work closely with the Lebanese authorities, with the aim of minimizing the occurrence of such incidents. The freedom of movement of UNIFIL and the security and safety of its personnel are integral to the effective execution of its tasks. Primary responsibility for ensuring the freedom of movement of UNIFIL personnel in the area of operations lies with the Lebanese authorities.
The total number of military personnel, as at 15 July 2013, stands at 10,640. The UNIFIL civilian component numbers 346 international and 658 national staff.
I am grateful to the 37 troop-contributing countries that make up UNIFIL for their ongoing commitment. This commitment, coupled with the development of a strategic partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces, has made possible the successful implementation of several key aspects of resolution 1701 (2006).
However, as the UNIFIL mandate approaches its expiration date, it is clear that more work needs to be done.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the UNIFIL Force Commander and Head of Mission, Major General Paolo Serra, and to all the military and civilian personnel of UNIFIL, for the work that they are doing in southern Lebanon in the service of peace.
Regarding the financial aspects of UNIFIL, by its resolution 67/279, the General Assembly appropriated to the Special Account for UNIFIL the amount of $492.6 million gross for the maintenance of the Force for the period from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. Should the Council decide to extend the mandate of UNIFIL beyond 31 August 2013, the cost of maintaining the Force will be limited to the
amounts approved by the Assembly.
As at 30 June 2013, unpaid assessed contributions to the Special Account for UNIFIL amounted to $35.6 million. Total outstanding assessed contributions for all peacekeeping operations as at the same date amounted to $1,246.7 million. As at 22 July 2013, amounts owed to the Member States that contribute the troops that make up UNIFIL totalled $12.7 million. Reimbursements of troop and contingent owned equipment costs have been made for the periods up to 31 May 2013 and 31 March 2013, respectively, in accordance with the quarterly payment schedule.
I am pleased to report that on 1 July 2013, UNIFIL successfully launched the pilot deployment of the Umoja solution. By piloting the implementation of this globally integrated system, UNIFIL has significantly contributed to my five-year action agenda to share financial, human and physical resources, knowledge and information technology more effectively throughout the Secretariat, thereby allowing for high-quality and cost-effective service delivery in support of mandate accomplishment.
With the above information in mind, I recommend that the Council extend the mandate of UNIFIL for a further period of 12 months, until 31 August 2014.
I should be grateful if you would bring this letter to the attention of the members of the Council.

(Signed) BAN Ki-moon

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

UNIFIL press statement - Incident near Labouneh during the night of 6-7 August

    

 
 

9 August 2013
 
"I take very serious note of the reported incident near Labouneh during the night of 6-7 August. On receiving the report I immediately ordered a UNIFIL investigation into the incident.
 
Even as UNIFIL investigators are working on the case, it is clear that the presence of Israeli soldiers in Lebanon in violation of the Blue Line constitutes a serious breach of the terms of UN Security Council resolution 1701. UNIFIL has strongly protested the violation to the IDF and called for its full cooperation with UNIFIL's investigations into the incident.
 
Given the seriousness of the incident, it is very important for UNIFIL to establish what exactly happened that night. This requires full cooperation from both the parties and accordingly we have also asked the LAF Command to provide us with any relevant information it might have in this connection.
 
UNIFIL investigation team has already been to the location and continues to work in coordination with the LAF on the ground to determine all the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. Now, it is imperative that we allow our investigations to bring out the facts of the incident.
 
I intend to present to both the parties the findings of UNIFIL's investigations at the next tripartite meeting to be held later this month. UNIFIL's primary objective is to determine the precise nature of the violation of resolution 1701 so that we can work with the parties to prevent any recurrence of such incidents or any related tensions that could escalate the situation."
 
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7 August 2013
 
UNIFIL was informed by the LAF this morning that last night an IDF patrol had crossed the Blue Line in the general area of Labouneh and that there had subsequently been an explosion at the location causing injuries to some IDF soldiers.
 
On receiving this information from the LAF, UNIFIL immediately launched an investigation into the alleged violation of resolution 1701. A UNIFIL investigation team is currently at the location indicated by LAF. Our effort is to ascertain if any traces of a possible explosion or other activity can be identified on the ground. The area is a steep hilly terrain with thick vegetation.
 
At the same time we have asked the IDF to provide us details of any incident in the area as alleged and, if so, its precise location. Further details will be provided to the media as the investigation progresses.
 
 
 
 
 

UN Security Council Presidential Statement on Lebanon

New York, NY
July 10, 2013
NOTE: This is issued in the United States' capacity as President of the UN Security Council.
The Security Council has been briefed by the Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations following the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006).
The Security Council recalls all its previous resolutions and the statements of its president on the situation in Lebanon.
The Security Council is encouraged by the calm that continues to prevail across the Blue Line and in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's (UNIFIL) area of operations. It urges all parties to make every effort to ensure that the cessation of hostilities is sustained, and emphasizes the need for them to continue working with the Special Coordinator and UNIFIL, including through the tripartite mechanism, to focus again on the goal of a permanent ceasefire and to reflect positively on ways forward on all outstanding issues in the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1680 (2006), and 1559 (2004) and other relevant Security Council resolutions. The Council also recalls the necessity for all parties to ensure the security of the contributing troops and that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL is fully respected and unimpeded.
The Security Council expresses deep concern at all violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and calls on all parties to fully respect Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions.
As the impact of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon's stability and security becomes more and more apparent, the Security Council underscores its growing concern at the marked increase of cross-border fire from the Syrian Arab Republic into Lebanon, which caused death and injury among the Lebanese population, as well as incursions, abductions, and arms trafficking across the Lebanese-Syrian border. The Security Council also expresses its concern at all other border violations. The Security Council echoes President Michel Sleiman's protest, in his letter of June 18, 2013 at such repeated shelling from the conflicting parties, including by the Syrian Arab armed Forces and Syrian armed opposition groups, that violate Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Security Council further notes with deep concern new developments with regard to the involvement of Lebanese parties in the fighting in Syria. The Security Council calls upon all Lebanese parties to recommit to Lebanon's policy of disassociation, to stand united behind President Michel Sleiman in this regard and to step back from any involvement in the Syrian crisis, consistent with their commitment in the Baabda Declaration of 12th of June 2012. The Security Council further echoes President Sleiman's call on the parties in Syria to avoid military action near the Lebanese border.
In the face of attempts to undermine the country's stability, the Security Council encourages all parties in Lebanon to demonstrate renewed unity and determination to resist a slide into conflict and commends in this regard the continued efforts of President Michel Sleiman to preserve Lebanon's unity and stability and underlines that continued broad political support is needed for the institutions of the State.
The Council urges all parties in Lebanon to continue to engage with Prime Minister designate Tammam Salam so as to allow the urgent formation of a government. The Security Council further encourages all Lebanese leaders to resume efforts to agree arrangements for parliamentary elections, consistent with Lebanon's long standing democratic tradition and in conformity with the legal and constitutional framework.
The Security Council also stresses the need to support the security and judicial authorities so as to combat impunity in respects of acts of violence. It also recalls the need to put an end to impunity in Lebanon and reiterates its full support for the work of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and urges the Lebanese authorities to continue meeting their international obligations in this regard, including on financial matters. The Council calls upon all parties to fully cooperate with the Tribunal.
The Security Council also condemns recent violence by armed groups across Lebanon, including those in Tripoli and Sidon, the latter of which left at least 16 soldiers dead and over 50 others wounded and expresses condolences to the families of the victims. The Security Council also acknowledges the crucial role played by the Lebanese security and armed forces in extending and sustaining the authority of the State and responding to new security challenges. The Council calls on Lebanon's leaders across the whole spectrum and Lebanese of all communities to offer every possible support to the Lebanese Armed Forces as a national and neutral institution and central pillar of the country's stability.
The Security Council is gravely concerned at the dramatic influx of refugees fleeing violence in Syria, now totalling over 587,000 Syrian refugees and an additional 65,500 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The Council commends Lebanon's generous efforts in hosting and assisting those refugees and encourages the establishment of fully empowered institutional structures to carry out planning, delivery and coordination responsibilities.
The Security Council stresses the need for strong, coordinated international support for Lebanon to help it continue to withstand the multiple current challenges to its security and stability. It encourages increased international support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, in response to their recently launched capabilities development plan as well as in the context of the Strategic Dialogue between the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL. It notes the particular urgency of assistance which would strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces' capabilities with respect to border control.
As for the refugee crisis, the Security Council underlines the need for assistance on an unprecedented scale, both to meet the needs of the refugees and of host communities, and to assist the Lebanese authorities who face extraordinary financial and structural challenges as a result of the refugee influx. The Council calls in this regard upon the international community to provide the required assistance as swiftly as possible to the latest joint appeal of the United Nations and the Government of Lebanon and in this regard urges those Member States which committed themselves to providing funds to live up to their pledges.

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Letter dated 21 June 2013 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council

I have the honour to forward herewith a letter dated 19 June 2013 from H.E. General Michel Sleiman, President of the Lebanese Republic (see annex). President Sleiman requested that it be transmitted to the Security Council and issued as a document of the Council. The letter draws attention to infringement of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity by the conflicting Syrian parties.
I should be grateful if you could bring the present letter and its annex to the attention of the members of the Security Council.
ANNEX:
I should like to extend my greetings and draw your attention to the following information.
Since the outset of the events in Syria, Lebanon has continually emphasized its concern for the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and the security of its people. Lebanon has adopted a policy of dissociation, which was restated and reaffirmed in the Baabda Declaration issued by the National Dialogue Committee on 11 June 2012 (A/66/849-S/2012/477).
As the events have unfolded, violations of Lebanese sovereignty from the Syrian side have affected the lives and property of innocent Lebanese civilians.
Lebanon has worked assiduously to control the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border. It remains committed to addressing those violations with the utmost degree of responsibility through the competent diplomatic and security channels. I should like to bring to your attention my stated position, which is that the repeated shelling of Lebanese territory by the parties to the conflict in Syria — most recently the shelling of the town of Arsal by a Syrian military helicopter on 12 June 2013, the rocket attack by Syrian irregular armed groups on the towns of Hirmil, Sir'ayn, Baalbek and Nabi Sheet, all of which resulted in civilian injuries — violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, endanger the safety and security of its citizens and contravene international conventions and the agreements governing relations between the two States, all at a time when the Lebanese State is endeavouring to preserve the stability and civil peace of Lebanon.
I should be grateful if this letter could be transmitted to the President of the Security Council and issued as a document of the Council.
(Signed) General Michel Sleiman