In a letter dated 29 November 1979,89 the SecretaryGeneral informed the Security Council that it was his intention to appoint Colonel Gi.inther G. Greindl of Austria Commander of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force as from 1 December. He added that it was the intention of the Government of Austria to confer upon Colonel Greindl the rank of MajorGeneral when he was appointed Force Commander. In a letter dated 30 November,'0 the President of the Council informed the Secretary-General as follows:
"I have brought your letter of 29 November 1979 concerning the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to the attention of the members of the Security Council. They considered the matter in consultations on 30 November and agreed with the proposal contained in your letter.
"The representative of China has informed me that China, not having participated in the voting on resolution 350 (1974) of 31 May 1974 and subsequent resolutions relating to the Force, dissociates itself from the matter."

Decisions
At the same meeting, following the adoption of resolution 456 (1979), the President made the following statements (S/ 13662) on behalf of the members of the Council:
"In connexion with the adoption of the resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, I have been authorized to make the following complementary statement on behalf of the Security Council regarding the resolution just adopted:
" 'As is known, the report of the SecretaryGeneral on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force42 states in paragraph25 that, "Despite the present quiet in the Israel-Syria sector, the situation in the Middle East as a whole continues to he potentially dangerous and is likely to remain so unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached". This statement of the Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council.' "

At its 2174th meeting, on 30 November 1979, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/13637)".' 1

At its 2180th meeting, on 19 December 1979, the Council decided to invite the representatives of Israel, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: report by the SecretaryGeneral on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (S/13691)".· 1

Resolution 456 (1979)

of 30 November 1979
The Security Council,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force,'2
Decides:
(a) To call upon the parties concerned to implement immediately Security Council resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
(b) To renew the mandate of the United Nation Disengagement Observer Force for another period of six months, that is, until 31 May 1980;
(c) To request the Secretary-General to submit at the end of this period a report on the developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).

At the same meeting, the Council also decided, by a vote, that an invitation should be accorded to the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization to participate in the debate and that that invitation would confer upon it the same rights of participation as those conferred on a Member State when it was invited to participate under rule 37 of the provisional rules of procedure.
Adopted by 10 votes to 1 (United States of America), with 4 abstentions (France, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

Adopted at the 2174th meeting hy 14 votes to none.43

B9Jbid., document S/13665.

40 Ibid., document S/13666.

41 Ibid., Supplement for October November and December

1979.

.

42 /bid., document S/13637.

43 One member (China) did not participate in the voting.

Resolution 459 (1979)
of 19 December 1979
The Security Council, Recalling its resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March, 427 (1978) of 3 May and 434 (1978) of 18 September 1978, 444 (1979) of 19 January and 450

11

(1979) of 14 June 1979, as well as the statements made by the President of the Security Council on 8 December 1978 (S/12958),7 on 26 April (S/13272) 20 and on 15 May 1979,21
Recalling its debate on 29 and 30 August 197944 and the statements of the Secretary-General concerning the cease-fire,
Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,'5
Acting in response to the request of the Government of Lebanon and noting with concern the continued violations of the cease-fire, the attacks on the Force and the difficulties in implementing Security Council resolutions,
Expressing its anxiety about the continued existence of obstacles to the full deployment of the Force and the threats to its very security, its freedom of movement and the safety of its headquarters,
Convinced that the present situation has serious consequences for peace and security in the Middle East and impedes the achievement of a just, comprehensive and durable peace in the area,
Reaffirming its call for the strict respect for the territorial integrity, unity, sovereignty and political indep~ndence of L~banon within its internationally recogmzed boundanes, and welcoming the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to reassert its sovereignty and restore its civilian and military authority in Southern Lebanon,
1. Reaffirms the objectives of resolutions 425 (1978) and 450 (1979);
2. Expresses its support for the efforts of the Secretary-General to consolidate the cease-fire and calls upon all parties concerned to refrain from activities inconsistent with the objectives of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and to co-operate for the fulfilment of these objectives;
3. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the Force to continue to take all effective measures deemed necessary in accordance with the approved guidelines and terms of reference of the Force as adopted in resolution 426 (1978);
4. Takes note of the determination of the Government of Lebanon to draw up a programme of action in consultation with the Secretary-General, to promote the

44 Official Records of the Security Council Thirty-fourth

Year, 2164th and 2165th meetings.

'

45 Ibid., Supplement for October, November and December 1979, document S/13691.

restoration of its authority in pursuance of resolution

425 (1978);

5. Takes note also of the efforts of the Government of Lebanon to obtain international recognition for the protection of the archaeological and cultural sites and monuments in the city of Tyre in accordance with international law and the Convention of The Hague of 1954,46 under which such cities, sites and monuments are con-

sidered to be a heritage of interest to all mankind;

6. Reaffirms the validity of the General Armistice AgreemenF6 between Israel and Lebanon in accordance with its relevant decisions and resolutions and calls upon the parties, with the assistance of the SecretaryGeneral, to take the necessary steps to reactivate the Mixed Armistice Commission and to ensure full respect for the safety and freedom of action of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization;

7. Highly commends the performance of the Force and its Commander, and reiterates its terms of reference as set out in the report of the Secretary-General of 19

March 19788 and approved by resolution 426 (1978), in particular that the Force must be enabled to function as an efficient military unit, that it must enjoy freedom of movement and communication and other facilities necessary for the performance of its tasks and that it must continue to be able to discharge its duties according to the above-mentioned terms of reference, including the right of self-defence;

8. Urges all Member States which are in a position to do so to continue to bring their influence to bear on those concerned. so that the Force can discharge its responsibilities fully and unhampered;

9. Decides to renew the mandate of the Force for a period of six months, that is, until 19 June 1980;

10. Reaffirms its determination, in the event of con-

tinuing amine

obstruction of practical ways

the mandate and means

of in

tahcecoFrodracne~etoweixth-

relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations

to secure the full implementation of resolution 425

(1978);

11. Decides to remain seized of the question.

Adopted at the 2l80th meeting by 12 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (Czechoslovakia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).47

46 Convention for th~ Protet;tion of ~ultural Property in the Event of Armed Confl1ct (Umted Nat1ons, Treaty Series, vol. 249, p. 240).
47 One member (China) did not participate in the voting.

12

