An update on Hizballah's human shields in blue helmets from AFP: "UN force in Lebanon not authorised to seek Hezbollah arms: Le Monde"
PARIS - The new UN force being deployed to Lebanon is allowed to use force to defend itself or civilians and to enforce a buffer zone along the Israeli border, but cannot actively seek out Hezbollah arms caches, according to UN documents obtained by Le Monde.
The French newspaper said Tuesday the rules of engagement contained in the documents also did not allow the force to intercede if hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah flared up again.
A 21-page text marked "UN restricted," dated August 18, sets the conditions under which the force of up to 15,000 soldiers -- mandated under UN Resolution 1701 -- can use, or threaten to use, weapons.
France, which currently commands the 2000-strong UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) slated to expand under the resolution, has been criticised for sending just 200 extra soldiers, doubling its current contingent.
Several other countries have also expressed reluctance to get further involved, in large part because of a belief that the rules of engagement are too restrictive to effectively enforce the ceasefire contained in Resolution 1701.
According to the Le Monde article datelined from New York, the UN document said UNIFIL is authorised to use "appropriate and credible" force in self-defence.
It can also use "proportional" force to prevent the buffer zone between the Israeli border and Lebanon’s Litani river from being used for "hostile activities"; to counter resistance in enforcing its mandate; or to protect civilians.
Le Monde said a second document -- marked "UN confidential" -- clearly stated that it was up to the Lebanese army to take control of the buffer zone and to "disarm Hezbollah".
"We are not going to actively seek out Hezbollah’s arms," a high-ranking UN military official told Le Monde. "But if, during a patrol, we come across a cache, our mandate is to seize those rockets."
The official added that UNIFIL road checkpoints were also permitted to seize weapons found in stopped vehicles, and that "lethal force" can be used to stop the occupants from forcing their way through.
But if a UNIFIL unit comes across Hezbollah firing a rocket into Israel, it should alert the Lebanese army and not use force against the militia itself, even though a strict interpretation of the UN mandate might allow that, the official said.
The same sidelining of the UN force would apply if Israel mounted another raid in Lebanon and the Lebanese militaries retaliated, he said.
"We will not put ourselves in the middle, we will try to stop them by other means," he said.
"But if Israel targets civilians, we will have to find counter-measures by blocking access roads or putting observers in place, even if that is very dangerous," he said.
That statement is ridiculous, but is nonetheless most revealing of the fact that the UN force is set up to deal with Israel as if it were the chief aggressor.
On the other hand, what about the infinitely more likely scenario of Hizballah targeting civilians in Israel, or continuing their modus operandi of positioning themselves to draw fire upon populated areas? That apparently didn't come up.
The article noted that objections by the Lebanese government stymied France’s effort to give the UN force powers under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which would have permitted military force to back all aspects of the mandate.
Nevertheless, a UN official said UNIFIL had a "robust" mandate that contained some elements of Chapter VII rules of engagement, and a wide degree of autonomy.
UNIFIL is to report directly to the UN’s head of peacekeeping, Frenchman Jean-Marie Guehenno, who in turn reports to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
No surprises there then.
"But if Israel targets civilians"
Any snippet of faith I had left in the U.N's credibility and neutrality just left me. Presumably Israels civilians are considered more like aggressive combatents, while the poor peace loving citizens of Lebanon, who would never stand in the street and cheer Hezbollah, must receive special protection.
DENNIS ROSS is a frequent commentator on Fox. He had a high State Department job under Bill Clinton and the previous three presidents. When this cease fire was being drawn up he said to keep your eye on the implementation. That UN resolutions always sound good. That the devil is in the implementation.
How right he was. The French role here is so duplicitous and sleazy it's absurd
Of all the STUPID idiotic words that come out of the U.N...............
anyone getting the sneaky suspicion that the UN forces are there stop Israel from crossing the border, not stopping Hezbollah. In fact, I bet the Dhimmi countries that are sending forces such as France are hoping Israel attacks some of those UN forces so Europe can shit all over Israel even more...
Unless you're a murderous despot with blood dripping from his hands, the UN is as much use as a chocolate fireguard, and has been for years.
"An update on Hizballah's human shields in blue helmets from AFP"
Got to love that headline I laughed out loud.
More to the point though. Is this not why we stalled as long as we could? I think the international community owes Israel and the USA a big appology for forcing this cease fire too soon.
The only time the U.N. has shown any guts was during the Korean War, and that was because it was bought and paid for by, dare I say it, the U.S. Since then it has been controlled by the so called non alinede nations, and paid for by the U.S. And has never shown any form of moral fiber. I am so old (sarcasm intended) I can remember U.N. Soldiers being chained to different targets in what was then called Yugoslavia to prevent N.A.T.O. Bombing them, do you think that Hezbollah wont do the same. Why do you think Jack the Frog, is only sending an extra 200 french troop to augment the 200 that are there, why do you think that most of the European counties are only too willing to send warships to patrol off the coast, but are not willing to bolster up the land forces. The whole affair is nothing more than a sick joke.
Calling themselves UN farce instead of UN force would be more appropriate.
Send the UN packing, they have already been in southern Lebanon for about 30 years and have been a miserable failure. They scare no one, they accomplish nothing, if they see something, they look the other way, if the shooting starts, they are in the way, they fail to pass on information they acquire. I am not certain that they even carry real bullets.
UN farce is good.
It appears now that the UN force will be comprised mostly of MUSLIMS. This will never work.
I viewed the 400? French soldiers disembarking and moving inland. It something flares up, I am sure they will be quickly withdrawn. France originally promised a much larger force. France cannot handle the Muslims in France.
Did you see the videos of Hezbollahs tunnel complexes in southern Lebanon. They are very elaborate and were built in sight of the UN forces stationed there. These were not built overnight, it took years to build. The UN did nothing and said nothing then and they will do nothing now. Already there are stories of massive weapons resupply to Hezbollah occuring across the Syrian border. THe punchless UN knows this and takes no action. Send the UN home, they are useless.Israel is wise to keep the forces in southern Lebanon.
I am tired and ramble on too much. good night.
I also read:
"Syria will not stand for international troops deployed on the Lebanese-Syrian border says president Bashar Assad"
And the obvious question is "Why"