UN cease-fire resolution : UNIFIL mandate (excerpts)

[tocqueville]

11. Decides, in order to supplement and enhance the force in numbers, equipment, mandate and scope of operations, to authorize an increase in the force strength of UNIFIL to a maximum of 15,000 troops, and that the force shall, in addition to carrying out its mandate under resolutions 425 and 426 (1978)

a. Monitor the cessation of hostilities

b. 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 as provided in paragraph 2

c. Coordinate its activities related to paragraph 11 (b) with the government of Lebanon and the government of Israel

d. Extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons

e. Assist the Lebanese armed forces in taking steps towards the establishment of the area as referred to in paragraph 8

f. Assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, to implement paragraph 14

12. 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, authorizes 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

13. Requests the secretary general urgently to put in place measures to ensure UNIFIL is able to carry out the functions envisaged in this resolution, urges member states to consider making appropriate contributions to UNIFIL and to respond positively to requests for assistance from the force, and expresses its strong appreciation to those who have contributed to UNIFIL in the past

14. Calls upon the government of Lebanon to secure its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon without its consent of arms or related materiel and requests UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11 to assist the government of Lebanon at its request

15. Decides further that all states shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using their flag vessels or aircraft,

(a) the sale or supply to any entity or individual in Lebanon of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, whether or not originating in their territories, and

(b) the provision to any entity or individual in Lebanon of any technical training or assistance related to the provision, manufacture, maintenance or use of the items listed in subparagraph (a) above except that these prohibitions shall not apply to arms, related material, training or assistance authorized by the government of Lebanon or by UNIFIL as authorized in paragraph 11

[Teaser]

1. no teeth here at all. Hezbollah wins

but that was never really a question.

[bigtree]

2. wins what?

[tocqueville]

4. I think that you misunderstand

the resolution's aim is not to "protect" Israel but to separate the fighting entities.

there are two important points :

- "all necessary means", which means that UNIFIL will shoot at those trying to break the cease-fire, whoever it may be.

- in practice a no-fly zone is enforced

[Igel]

3. It's a bit more explicit than the previous mandate,

but it's all in the interpretation--and whether Lebanon uses UNIFIL (and whether UNIFIL agrees).

Previous incarnation:

"...In the light of the request of the Government of Lebanon, to establish immediately under its authority a United Nations interim force for Southern Lebanon for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring international peace and security, and assisting the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area ..." http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/368/70/IMG/NR036870.pdf?OpenElement

But note that UNIFIL was to 'restore international peace and security' and help Lebanon 'in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area'. It wasn't limited to being unarmed; but it wasn't ordered to be armed and use military force.

This mandate apparently provided cover for monitoring Hezbollah activities that UNIFIL knew were hostile in nature, and saying nothing. The revised mandate is fine: what it means in practice is undetermined, but if history is any guide, UNIFIL will immediately decide that it's capabilities are pushing paper, making videos, and drinking tea with Hezbollah commanders to ensure that UNIFIL folk will have an enjoyable time during their sojourn in Lebanon, and a safe and pleasant trip home.

[The Magistrate]

5. We Will See, Sir, Certainly

The text is seems sufficient, though, to provide enough "face" for Mr. Olmert to withdraw as the reinforced U.N. elements arrive. By now, it is getting to everyone's interest to halt the killing. Israel is certainly taking serious political damage, and it is hard to judge whether this is outweighed by the material damage done to Hezbollah.

[Igel]

6. This is very true.

It'll get the killing stopped. But I'm always torn when I see a conflict frozen: Sometimes it's a good choice, and allows for a superior solution to the conflict; sometimes no resolution is forthcoming, and all it does is play kick the can, making sure that the resolution is years in the future, and the time between now and then is wasted.

I still don't know exactly what I think of this ceasefire. Not even entirely sure I understand the players, and that's the first step.