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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was created following United Nations Security Council Resolutions Nos. 425 and 426 dated March 1978, to secure the Israeli withdrawal from the Lebanon, implement international peace and security and help the Lebanese Government to effectively exercise its authority in the area.

After the July/August 2006 crisis, the Security Council decided to increase the strength of its forces and, through Resolution No. 1701 dated August 11, add to their original remit the tasks of:

• Monitor the ceasing of hostilities;
• Accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces in their projection to the South of Lebanon;
• Help securing the humanitarian aid to the civilian population as well the safe and voluntary return of the displaced persons;
• Support the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing an area free of armed personnel and of means and armament, excepting those belonging to the Lebanese Government and to UNIFIL, between the “Blue Line” and the Litani River;
• Support the Lebanese Government, at its request, in securing the borders to prevent the Lebanese Government’s non-authorized entry of armament or related materiel.

This resolution equally authorizes UNIFIL to take all the necessary actions to:

• Guarantee that its area of operations is not used for hostile actions of any sort;
• Resist any actions preventing the accomplishment of its mission;
• Protect personnel, facilities and equipment pertaining to the United Nations;
• Ensure the safety and freedom of movement of United Nations staff and humanitarian workers;
• Without prejudice to the responsibilities of the Lebanese Government, protect the civilian population in imminent danger of physical violence.

UNIFIL’s operation was planned in 5 stages:

• Stage 1 – Strengthening of the existing military capabilities, with special regard to the security of the rearguard area and of the lines of communication (concluded);
• Stage 2 – Withdrawal of the IDF from the occupied areas in South Lebanon, and such regions occupied by the Lebanese Army supported by the intervening forces (concluded):
• Stage 3 – Effective control of the area south of Lebanon by the Lebanese Army (concluded);
• Stage 4 – Checking and monitoring the compliance by the parties of the remit of the United Nations (continuing);
• Stage 5 – Transfer of operational responsibility to the Lebanese Army and Lebanese authorities in South Lebanon.

UNIFIL, currently under the command of Major General Cláudio Graziani (Italian Army) has a complement of approximately 13,300 military personnel, with the following distribution: 

UNIFIL apparatus