Security Council resolution 2433 (2018) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 Aug. 2019]
Symbol: S/RES/2433 (2018)
Date: 2018-08-30
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/73 [57] UN INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON
S/73 [54] MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
S/73 [52] ISRAEL--LEBANON
S/ X The situation in the Middle East.
Subjects: UN Interim Force in Lebanon|Lebanon. Armed Forces|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|LEBANON|MIDDLE EAST SITUATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: BOLIVIA (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF)
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: CÔTE D'IVOIRE
vote: yes
country: EQUATORIAL GUINEA
vote: yes
country: ETHIOPIA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: KAZAKHSTAN
vote: yes
country: KUWAIT
vote: yes
country: NETHERLANDS
vote: yes
country: PERU
vote: yes
country: POLAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWEDEN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                   S/RES/2433 (2018)
               Security Council                                                  Distr.: General
                                                                                 30 August 2018




               Resolution 2433 (2018)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8338th meeting, on
               30 August 2018

                    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), 2115 (2013), 2172
               (2014) and 2236 (2015), 2305 (2016), and 2373 (2017) as well as the statements of
               its President on the situation in Lebanon and the Press statements dated 19 December
               2016, 27 March 2018, 9 August 2018,
                    Welcoming the progress towards reactivation of the Lebanese state institutions
               and the recent holding of legislative elections, the first Parliamentary elections since
               2009, and calling for the formation of a new Lebanese Government without further
               delay,
                     Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon to extend the mandate
               of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a period of one year
               without amendment presented in a letter from the Lebanese Foreign Minister to the
               Secretary-General of 23 July 2018 and welcoming the letter from the Secretary -
               General to its President of 30 July 2018 (S/2018/750) 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,
                    Expressing concern at the limited progress made towards the establishment of a
               permanent ceasefire and other key provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) more than ten
               years after its adoption,
                    Calling upon all concerned parties to strengthen their efforts, including by
               exploring concrete solutions with the Special Coordinator of the Secretary -General
               and the UNIFIL Force Commander, to fully implement all provisions of resolution
               1701 (2006) without delay,
                    Expressing deep concern at all violations in connection with resolution 1701
               (2006) as underlined by the Secretary-General in his reports, and recalling the
               importance of control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory,



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                    Underlining the risk that violations of the cessation of hostilities could lead to
               a new conflict that none of the parties or the region can afford,
                     Urging all parties to make every effort to ensure that the cessation of hostilities
               is sustained, exercise maximum calm and restraint and refrain from any action or
               rhetoric that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities or destabilize the region,
                    Emphasizing to all parties 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,
               including through the tripartite mechanism, to continue working in the ongoing
               process to delineate and 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 prevent
               UNIFIL from implementing its mandate in accordance with Security Council
               resolution 1701 (2006), recalling the necessity for all parties to ensure that UNIFIL
               personnel are secure and their freedom of movement is fully respected and
               unimpeded, and condemning in the strongest terms the attack against UNIFIL forces
               on 4 August 2018 near the town of Majdal Zun, Southern Lebanon,
                     Expressing concerns about the visits of non-Lebanese militia leaders along the
               Blue Line, and reiterating the importance of the extension of the control of the
               Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions
               of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions
               of the Taif Accords,
                     Encouraging all Lebanese parties to resume discussions towards a consensus on
               a National Defence Strategy as set out by the President of Lebanon in his statement
               of 12 March 2018, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the
               Taif Agreement,
                    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 has 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 crucial role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and security
               forces, as the only legitimate armed forces in Lebanon, in extending and sustaining
               the authority of the Government of Lebanon, in particular in southern Lebanon, and
               responding to other security challenges, including the threat of terrorism, and the
               strong international commitment to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, which has


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           helped strengthen the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to provide security
           for Lebanon, and further noting the relevance of this increased capacity in relation to
           their efforts to coordinate with UNIFIL in the implementation of the UNIFIL mandate,
                 Recalling resolution 2378 (2017) and its request of the Secretary-General to
           ensure that data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, including
           peacekeeping performance data, is used to improve analytics and the evaluation of
           mission operations, based on clear and well identified benchmarks, and emphasizing
           the need to regularly evaluate UNIFIL’s performance such that the mission retains
           the skills and flexibility needed to effectively carry out its mandate,
                 Also recalling resolution 2242 (2015) and its request of the Secretary-General
           to initiate, in collaboration with Member States, a revised strategy, within existing
           resources, to double the number of women in military and police contingents of UN
           peacekeeping operations,
                 Recognizing the need to regularly review all peacekeeping operations to ensure
           efficiency and effectiveness, including reviews of UNIFIL when appropriate, taking
           into account developments on the ground,
                 Bearing in mind 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, taking note of his letter of 8 March 2017 (S/2017/202)
           as a result of the most recent Strategic Review of UNIFIL, and expressing the need
           for a follow-up and update,
                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 2019;
                 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
           without prejudice to UNIFIL’s mandate;
                3.     Affirms its strong continuing commitment to the existing UNIFIL mandate
           and calls for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006);
                 4.    Reiterates its call for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire
           and a long-term solution based on the principles and elements set out in paragraph 8
           of resolution 1701 (2006);
                 5.   Reaffirms the necessity of an effective and durable deployment of the
           Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon and the territorial waters of Lebanon at
           an accelerated pace to fully implement the provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) and
           requests the Secretary-General to include in his future reports assessments of progress
           made in this regard and calls for renewed 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;
                6.    Recalls its request for precise timelines to be jointly and promptly
           elaborated by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Secretary-General, for the
           deployments in paragraph 5, with a view to identifying Lebanese Armed Forces
           progress in implementing tasks mandated in resolution 1701 (2006);

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                     7.    Calls for the Government of Lebanon to develop a plan to increase its
               naval capabilities, including with appropriate support from the international
               community, with the goal of ultimately decreasing UNIFIL’s Maritime Taskforce and
               transitioning its responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), in close
               conjunction with the effective build-up of the capabilities of the Lebanese Navy, and
               requests that the Secretary-General present to the Security Council an assessment
               with recommendations within 6 months;
                     8.    Encourages the intention of the Government of Lebanon to deploy a model
               regiment and an offshore patrol vessel in UNIFIL’s area of operations to advance the
               implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and the authority of the Lebanese State,
               recalls in this regard the joint statement issued at the end of the 15 March Rome
               Conference, in particular Lebanon’s concept for a new Model Regiment proposed in
               the context of the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between the LAF and UNIFIL, notes
               Lebanon’s proposed timeline for the deployment of the Model Regiment, and calls
               on the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL to strengthen their coordinated actions;
                     9.    Urges further international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and all
               state security institutions, who are the only legitimate armed forces of Lebanon, in
               response to the capabilities development plan of the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well
               as in the framework of the International Support Group for Lebanon, through
               additional and expedited assistance in areas where the Lebanese Armed Forces are
               most critically in need of support, including counter-terrorism and border protection;
                     10. Condemns all violations of the Blue Line and strongly calls upon all parties
               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;
                     11. Welcomes the constructive role played by the Tripartite Mechanism in
               facilitating coordination and in de-escalating tensions, and recognizes the mission
               leadership’s active efforts, which has helped to further stabilize the situation along
               the Blue Line and build trust between the parties, and expresses in this regard strong
               support for the continued efforts of UNIFIL to engage with both parties to facilitate
               liaison, coordination, and practical arrangements on the ground and to continue to
               ensure that the Tripartite Mechanism enables the parties to discuss a wider range of
               issues;
                    12. Stresses the need to improve the management of UNIFIL civilian
               resources, including through fostering enhanced cooperation with the Office of the
               United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), with the goal of
               improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the missions, and requests that the
               Secretary-General provide recommendations on the matter by 31 December 2018;
                     13. Urges all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the
               safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel and 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;
                     14. Urges all parties to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL and
               UNIFIL’s access to the Blue Line in all its parts 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, condemns all attempts
               to restrict the freedom of movement of UNIFIL’s personnel;
                    15. Urges all parties to cooperate fully with the Security Council and the
               Secretary-General to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a

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           long-term solution as envisioned in resolution 1701 (2006) and on all outstanding
           issues in the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1680
           (2006) and 1559 (2004), and other relevant Security Council resolutions;
                 16. 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;
                 17. 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;
                  18. Recalls paragraph 15 of resolution 1701 (2006) according to which all
           States shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their
           territories or using flag vessels or aircraft, the sale or supply of arms and related
           materiel to any entity or individual in Lebanon other than those authorized by the
           Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL;
                  19. Acting in support of a request from the Government of Lebanon to deploy
           an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory,
           recalls its authorization to 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;
                 20. Commends UNIFIL’s operational changes in line with resolution 2373
           (2017) and reiterates its request that the Secretary-General look at ways to enhance
           UNIFIL’s efforts as regards paragraph 12 of resolution 1701 (2006) and paragraph 14
           of this resolution, including ways to increase UNIFIL’s visible presence, including
           through patrols and inspections, within its existing mandate and capabilities;
                 21. Recalls the decision that UNIFIL shall assist the government of Lebanon,
           at its request, as set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 1701 (2006) and within its
           capabilities, to implement resolution 1701 (2006);
                 22. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNIFIL to implement t he
           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;
                 23. Welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to
           standardize a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, calls on him to continue
           his efforts to develop an integrated performance policy framework and apply it to
           UNIFIL, and requests the Secretary-General and the troop-contributing countries to
           seek to increase the number of women in UNIFIL, as well as to ensure the meaningful
           participation of women in all aspects of operations;
                24. Requests UNIFIL to take fully into account gender considerations as a
           cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Lebanese authorities in
           ensuring the full and effective participation, involvement and representation of



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               women at all levels of decision-making, further requests enhanced reporting by
               UNIFIL to the Security Council on this issue;
                     25. 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, and to include in his reporting a prompt and detailed breakdown
               of all resolution 1701 (2006) violations, prompt and detailed reports on violations of
               the sovereignty of Lebanon, prompt and detailed reports on the restrictions to
               UNIFIL’s freedom of movement, an annex on the implementation on the arms
               embargo, reports on specific areas where UNIFIL does not access and on the reasons
               behind these restrictions, potential risks to the cessation of hostilities and UNIFIL’s
               response as well as reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the
               2016–2017 Strategic review and on additional identified efficiencies to most
               appropriately fulfil its mandated tasks; requests the Secretary-General to continue to
               provide concrete and detailed information on the aforementioned issues to the
               Council, in line with changes to enhance reporting since the adoption of resolution
               2373 (2017);
                     26. 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;
                    27.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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