The UN Security Council approved extending the peace mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for one year, but ordered greater cooperation with the Lebanese armed forces after the harsh criticism it has received from the US in recent years. days.
"We determine that the situation in Lebanon continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security and we decide to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL until August 31, 2018," reads the UN text.
The resolution, adopted unanimously, calls for complete freedom of movement for UNIFIL troops in the country, and urged more joint and coordinated patrols by the Lebanese Armed Forces and peacekeepers.
"We welcome the expansion of coordinated activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and call for an intensification of this cooperation," the document adds.
The decision came after intense debate, and a week after the US called for changes in UNIFIL and accused it of failing to do its job by allowing the Shiite terrorist group Hezbollah to stockpile weapons and tens of thousands of missiles " illegal”, complicating the security situation in southern Lebanon.
"We call on members of the Security Council to join us in taking real action, to make UNIFIL a stronger peace mission and to oppose terrorist forces in Lebanon and the region," said the US ambassador. .USA at the UN, Nikki Haley.
Other Council countries, however, had defended keeping the operation's current mandate unchanged.
UNIFIL's mission is to support the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure stability and security in compliance with UN Resolution 1701 that ended the 2006 war between Israel and the Lebanese Shiite extremist group Hezbollah.
Currently, it has just over 10.500 "blue helmets", including more than 600 Spaniards. EFE and Aurora