"I wish to inform you that I have brought your letter of 12 January 1979 to the attention of the members of the Security Council. They considered the matter in informal consultations on 17 January and agreed with the proposals contained in your letter.
"The representative of China has informed me that China, not having participated in the voting on resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978), dissociates itself from the matter."
At its 2113th meeting, on 19 January 1979, the Council decided to invite the representative of Lebanon to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (SI 13026 and Corr.l)".6
Resolution 444 (1979)
of 19 January 1979
The Security Council, Recalling its resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March, 427 (1978) of 3 May and 434 (1978) of 18 September 1978,
Recalling also the statement made by the President of the Security Council on 8 December 1978 (SI12958),7
Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon of 12 January 1979, contained in document Sl13026 and Corr.1,"
Expressing concern at the grave situation in Southern Lebanon resulting from obstacles placed in the way of the full implementation of resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978),
Reiterating its conviction that the continuation of the situation constitutes a challenge to its authority and a defiance of its resolutions,
Noting with regret that the Force has reached the end of its second mandate without being enabled to complete all the tasks assigned to it,

Acting in response to the request of the Government of Lebanon taking into account the report of the Secretary-General,
1. Deplores the lack of co-operation, particularly on the part of Israel, with the efforts of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon fully to implement its mandate, including assistance lent by Israel to irregular armed groups in Southern Lebanon;
2. Notes with great appreciation the efforts being made by the Secretary-General, the commanders and soldiers of the Force and the staff of the United Nations, as well as by Governments which have lent their assistance and co-operation;
3. Expresses its satisfaction with the declared policy of the Government of Lebanon and the steps already taken for the deployment of the Lebanese army in the south and encourages it to increase its efforts, in coordination with the Force, to re-establish its authority in that area;
4. Decides to renew the mandate of the Force for a period of five months, that is, until 19 June 1979;
5. Calls upon the Secretary-General and the Force to continue to take all effective measures deemed necessary in accordance with the approved guidelines and terms of reference of the Force as adopted by the Security Council8 and invites the Government of Lebanon to draw up, in consultation with the Secretary-General, a phased programme of activities to be carried out over the next three months to promote the restoration of its authority;
6. Urges all Member States which are in a position to do so to bring their influence to bear on those concerned, so that the Force can discharge its responsibilities fully and unhampered;
7. Reaffirms its determination, in the event of continuing obstruction of the mandate of the Force, to examine practical ways and means in accordance with relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations to secure the full implementation of resolution 425 (1978);
8. Decides to remain seized of the question and to meet again within three months to assess the situation.
Adopted at the 2113th meeting by 12 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (Czechoslovakia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)."

Stressing that free and unhampered movement for the Force is essential for the fulfilment of its mandate within its entire area of operation,
Reaffirming the necessity for the strict respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries,
Re-emphasizing the temporary nature of the Force as set out in its terms of reference,

Decisions
At the same meeting, following the adoption of resolution 444 (1979), the President made the following statement (Sil3043) on behalf of the Council:
"The Security Council, after considering the report of the Secretary-General in document SI 13026, and

6 lbid., Supplement for January, February and March 1979. 7 Ibid., Thirty-third Year, 2106th meeting, para. 7.

Sfbid., Supplement for January, February and March 1978, document S/ 12611.
9 One member (China) did not participate in the voting.

2