UNSCR 1701
Background: On August 11, 2006, the UN adopted Resolution 1701, seeking to end the Israel-Hezbollah War that began on July 12 of that year and ended in a ceasefire on August 14.
Key Provisions
• Calls for an immediate ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and appeals to Israel and Lebanon to back a permanent ceasefire and long-term agreement
• Calls for the extension of the Lebanese government’s sovereignty throughout the country and the creation of an area free of “any armed personnel, assets and weapons” aside from Lebanese security forces and United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) between the Litani River and Blue Line
• Calls for complete execution of UNSCR 1559 and 1680, and relevant provisions of the Taif Accords, which necessitate the complete disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon
• Prohibits foreign forces from operating in Lebanon and foreign entities from transferring weapons to groups in Lebanon
• Expands UNIFIL mandate; including among others, increasing its size to a limit of 15,000 troops; supporting the 15,000 Lebanese armed forces as they deploy in south Lebanon; and assisting the Lebanese government in securing its borders and entry points to prevent arms smuggling into the country
Implementation
• As of November 11, UNIFIL forces totaled 12,770 military personnel and 318 international and 656 Lebanese non-military personnel.
• Lebanon has deployed three, rather than four, brigades totaling 4,500 troops south of the Litani river.
• Israel maintains that arms smuggling between Lebanon and Syria remains a problem, though Syria continues to deny this claim.
• On November 22, Al-Arabiya reported that Hezbollah conducted military drills south of the Litani river.
• A UN report released in November called on Israel to end all overflights into Lebanese territory, which violate the terms of UNCSR 1701.
UNSCR 1757
Background: Following the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on February 14, 2005, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) launched an investigation into the incident. On December 15, 2005, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1644 asking the UN secretary general to work with the Lebanese government to create a framework for trying those involved in the assassination. These efforts came to a stalemate in the Lebanese parliament, and in May 2007, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora sent a letter to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asking for the UN to set up the international court. On May 30, 2007, the UNSC adopted Resolution 1757, which outlined the tribunal’s mandate, jurisdiction, and structure.
Key Provisions
• Creates an international court to try persons linked to the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
• Provides the tribunal with additional jurisdiction over separate attacks between October 1, 2004 and December 12, 2005 or later if they are found to be similar in nature to the February 14 attack.
• Determines the composition of the tribunal and appointment of judges, prosecutor and registrar by the secretary general in consultation with the Lebanese government
• States that the tribunal be held outside Lebanon
• Splits the funding of the trial between the Lebanese government and voluntary contributions from the international community
• Allows for the secretary general and Lebanese government to negotiate the tribunal’s start date, taking into account the work of the investigation committee
Implementation
• On November 28, Ban said he expects the tribunal to begin on March 1, 2009, though the final date will be subject to a request for additional funding for the trial.
• The tribunal will be based in The Hague, will have 11 judges, including four from Lebanon, and the prosecutor will be Canadian Daniel Bellemare, who currently heads the investigation committee.
• The investigation commission’s mandate expires in December; however, it is expected to be renewed before the tribunal begins.
