United Nations Security Council Resolution 1680

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1680 was adopted by the United Nations Security Council on May 17, 2006, to encourage strongly Syria to respond positively to Lebanon's request to delineate borders, and establish diplomatic relations, with the purpose of asserting Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. [ [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8723.doc.htm Security Council Strongly Encourages Syria To Respond To Lebanon’S Request To Delineate Border, Establish Diplomatic Relations ] ] The resolution was adopted by a vote of 13 in favour, 0 against, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation).

Background

On April 18, 2006, the Secretary-General of the United Nations transmitted his third semi-annual report on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559, adopted on September 2, 2004. Resolution 1559 called for "the withdrawal of all remaining foreign forces from Lebanon; the disbanding and disarmament of all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias; the extension of the control of the Lebanese Government over all Lebanese territory; and strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Lebanon under the sole and exclusive authority of the Lebanese Government throughout Lebanon." [ [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sc8181.doc.htm Security Council Declares Support For Free, Fair Presidential Election In Lebanon; Calls For Withdrawal Of Foreign Forces There ] ]

The Secretary-General's report stated that many of the provisions listed in Resolution 1559, the 1989 Taif Agreement, and the lack of political stability, that Lebanon was still in a fragile and vulnerable state. This led to the adoption of the supporting Resolution, 1680.

Summary of the resolution

* Reiterates strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders,
* Notes positively that further significant progress has been made through the Lebanese National Dialogue
* Notes with regret that other provisions of resolution 1559 have not yet been fully implemented, namely the disbanding and disarming of Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias, the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all its territory, the strict respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon, and free and fair presidential elections conducted according to the Lebanese constitutional rules, without foreign interference and influence,
* Noting with concern that there had been movements of arms into Lebanese territory for militias over the last six months,
* Expressing full support for the Lebanese National Dialogue and commending all Lebanese parties for its conduct and for the consensus reached in this context on important matters,
* Reiterates its call for the full implementation of all requirements of resolution 1559
* Reiterates also its call on all concerned States and parties to cooperate fully with the Government of Lebanon, the Security Council and the Secretary-General;
* Strongly encourages the Government of Syria to respond positively to the request made by the Government of Lebanon, in line with the agreements of the Lebanese national dialogue, to delineate their common border, especially in those areas where the border is uncertain or disputed and to establish full diplomatic relations and representation, noting that such measures would constitute a significant step towards asserting Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and improving the relations between the two countries, thus contributing positively to the stability in the region, and urges both parties to make efforts through further bilateral dialogue to this end, bearing in mind that the establishment of diplomatic relations between States, and of permanent diplomatic missions, takes place by mutual consent;
* Commends the Government of Lebanon for undertaking measures against movements of arms into Lebanese territory and calls on the Government of Syria to take similar measures;
* Welcomes the decision of the Lebanese national dialogue to disarm Palestinian militias outside refugee camps within six months.

See also

* 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
* Negotiations for ceasefire in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict
* Taif Agreement
* United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559
* United Nations Security Council Resolution 425
* United Nations Security Council Resolution 426
* United Nations Security Council Resolution 520
* United Nations Security Council Resolution 1655

References

* [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sc8181.doc.htm United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559]
* [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sc8723.doc.htm United Nations Security Council Resolution 1680]