UN chief recommends to renew UNDOF mission in the Golan

The UN secretary General Kofi Annan has recommended the renewal of the UN disengagement forces in the Golan and described them as "vital." These forces which are deployed between Lebanon, Syria and Israel were formed in 1974, following the October 1973 war between the Arab states and Israel. Its mission expires on December 30.

In a report he submitted to the UN security council and circulated by the UN yesterday, Annan stressed that "the situation in the border area between Syria and Israel has been in all calm," but the situation in the Middle East is very tense and will continue, more expectedly so, unless a comprehensive settlement is reached for the problem."

He added "under the shadowing conditions, I consider keeping this forces is vital" and therefore Annan "recommended the extension of these forces of a new period of 6 months until June 30, 2003."