UN Security Council extends for UNIFIL for 6 months

The UN Security Council extended the mission of the UN Interim Forces working in Lebanon UNIFIL for 6 months but it stressed the need that the Lebanese government to double its authority in the south.

The resolution states that UNIFIL presence in Lebanon will be extended until July 31st this year.

The extension resolution urged both Lebanon and Israel to end the violations at their joint borders but expressed special concern over two attacks in the few past months "carried out by Hizbullah."

UNIFIl was established in March 1978, its last extension mission stressed "its interim nature" and noted the ambitious of the council to an early achievement assigned to it."

The Security Council reiterated its strong support for Lebanon's sovereignty and independence on all its soil and within its internationally recognized borders and under the only authority for the Lebanese government.

The UN resolution which carried number 1655 called on the Lebanese government to expand and practice its authority in south Lebanon. The resolution noted "confining the use of force" to the Lebanese government and implementing the law and security on all its lands and preventing attacks through the blue line as from Lebanon."