For information only - not an official document
UNIS/INF/483
28 June 2013
VIENNA, 27 June (UN Information Service) - Expressing grave concern at all violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, the Security Council this morning extended until 31 December 2013 the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire in the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.
Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2108 (2013), the Council stressed the obligation of both parties to scrupulously observe the ceasefire agreement and abide by the terms of the Agreement. Underscoring that there should be no military forces in the area of separation, it also called on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions in the UNDOF area of operation.
The Council, through the resolution, called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, concurring with the Secretary-General's findings, detailed in his latest report on the topic (document S/2013/345), that the military activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation had the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and Syria. The Council also condemned recent incidents threatening the safety and security of United Nations personnel and recent intense fighting in the area of separation, including a 6 June attack, which had inured two peacekeepers, stressing the need to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF personnel.
The meeting began at 11:23 a.m. and ended at 11:25 a.m.
Resolution
The complete text of resolution 2108 (2013) reads as follows:
" The Security Council,
" Noting with concern that the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached,
" Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) of 12 June 2013 (S/2013/345), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (2000) of 17 July 2000,
" Stressing that both parties must abideby the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and scrupulously observe the ceasefire,
" Concurring with the Secretary-General's findings that the ongoing military activities conducted by any actor in the area of separation continue to have the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic, jeopardize the ceasefire between the two countries, and pose a risk to the local civilian population and United Nations personnel on the ground,
" Expressing grave concern at all violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement,
" Recalling that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF,
" Calling on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions in the UNDOF area of operation,
" Strongly condemning the incidents threatening the safety and security of United Nations personnel in recent months, including the detention of 21 UNDOF peacekeepers within the area of limitation on 6 March by armed elements of the Syrian opposition, the detention of four UNDOF peacekeepers within the area of limitation in the vicinity of Al Jamla on 7 May by armed elements of the Syrian opposition, and the detention of three UNTSO observers on 15 May by a group of anti-Government armed elements,
" Strongly condemning the recent intense fighting in the area of separation, including the attack which led to the injury of two UNDOF peacekeepers on 6 June,
" Underscoring the need for UNDOF to have at its disposal all necessary means and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely,
" Expressing its profound appreciation to UNDOF's military and civilian personnel, including those from Observer Group Golan, for their service and continued contribution, in an increasingly challenging operating environment, and underscoring the important contribution UNDOF's continued presence makes to peace and security in the Middle East,
"1. Calls upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
"2. Stresses the obligation on both parties to scrupulously and fully respect the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, calls on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation, and underscores that there should be no military activity of any kind in the area of separation, including military operations by the Syrian Arab Armed Forces;
"3. Underlines that there should be no military activity of the armed opposition groups in the area of separation, and urges Member States to convey strongly to the Syrian armed opposition groups in UNDOF's area of operation to halt all activities that endanger United Nations peacekeepers on the ground and to accord the United Nations personnel on the ground the freedom to carry out their mandate safely and securely;
"4. Calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the operations of UNDOF, to respect its privileges and immunities and to ensure its freedom of movement, as well as the security of and unhindered and immediate access for the United Nations personnel carrying out their mandate, including considering the temporary use of an alternative port of entry and departure, as required, to ensure safe and secure troop rotation activities, in conformity with existing agreements, and welcomes prompt reporting by the Secretary-General to the Security Council and troop-contributing countries of any actions that impede UNDOF's ability to fulfil its mandate;
"5 . Stresses the need to enhance the safety and security of UNDOF, including Observer Group Golan, personnel, and endorses in this regard the Secretary-General's recommendation to consider further adjustments to the posture and operations of the Mission, as well as to implement additional mitigation measures to enhance the self-defence capabilities of UNDOF, including maximizing the Force strength and improving its self-defence equipment, within the parameters set forth in the Protocol to the Disengagement Agreement;
"6. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force to implement the Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take preventive and disciplinary action to ensure that such acts are properly investigated and punished in cases involving their personnel;
"7. Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is, until 31 December 2013, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that UNDOF has the required capacity and resources to fulfil the mandate, as well as to enhance the Force's ability to do so in a safe and secure way;
"8. Requests the Secretary-General to report every 90 days on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973)."
* *** *
