United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 is a resolution intended to resolve the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. It was unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council on 11 August 2006. The Lebanese government, which includes two members of Hezbollah, unanimously approved the Security Council Resolution on 12 August. The same day, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said that his militia would honour the call for a cease-fire. He also said that once the Israeli offensive stops, Hezbollah's reaction will stop. On 13 August the Israeli Cabinet voted 24-0 in favor of the resolution, with one abstention. U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan said that the U.N. brokered cease-fire will begin on Monday 14th August at 0800 local time.

The resolution was based on a draft originally prepared by France and the United States. The draft resolution called for the "full cessation of hostilities" between Israel and Hezbollah, but was strongly criticized by Lebanon and the Arab League for not requiring Israel to withdraw immediately from southern Lebanon and for allowing Israel to continue operations against Hezbollah.

As a counter-move, Lebanon received the support from the Arab League to try to get parts of the Siniora Plan, presented by the Lebanese government on 27 July, included in the draft resolution. A delegation from the League flew to New York City on 8 August and met with various UN representatives and the draft's chief architects, France and the USA. This resulted in a shift in France's position and eventually forced a re-draft of the proposal.

The main differences from the original draft proposal are that the 15,000 soldiers assigned from the Lebanese Army are to have a central role, with a much strengthened UNIFIL force (from current 2,000 to possibly 15,000 soldiers) assisting them in fully implementing the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords and resolutions 1559 and 1680 (taken on 17 May 2006; urging Lebanon to speed up the disarming of Hezbollah; and urging Syria to help in this, as well as urging Syria to help Lebanon settle their common border, i.e. Shebaa Farms), including disarmament of Hezbollah. The resolution, however, makes it clear that the Lebanese decide when and if they require UNIFIL's help in these matters. The resolution also says that Israeli forces shall withdraw in parallel with the combined Lebanese and UNIFIL forces moving into the conflict area, and no paramilitary forces, including (and implying) Hezbollah, will be south of the Litani River (OP8).

Leaders around the world praised the agreement while noting this was not the end of the crisis.


Summary of Resolution 1701

* Full cessation of hostilities (OP1)

* Israel to withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon (OP2)

* Fully implementing the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords and resolutions 1559 and 1680 urging Lebanon to speed up the disarming of Hezbollah. (OP3)

* Full control of Lebanon by the government of Lebanon (OP3)

* No paramilitary forces, including (and implying) Hezbollah, will be south of the Litani River (OP8).