Resolution 538 (1983)
of 18 October 1983
The Security Council,
Having heard the statement of the representative of Lebanon, 18
Recalling its resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) and all subsequent resolutions on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,
Recalling further its resolutions 508 (1982), 509 (1982) and 520 (1982), as well as all its other resolutions on the situation in Lebanon,
Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries,
Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon 19 and taking note of the conclusions and recommendations expressed therein,
Taking note of the letter of the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the Secretary-General,20
Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon,
1. Decides to extend the present mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for a further interim period of six months, that is, until 19 April 1984;
2. Calls upon all parties concerned to co-operate fully with the Force for the full implementation of its mandate, as defined in resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) and the relevant decisions of the Security Council;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the progress made in this respect.

"I have been authorized by the members of the Security Council to make the following statement on their behalf:
" 'The members of the Security Council wish to express their profound concern at the recent and current developments in northern Lebanon which have caused and are still causing widespread suffering and loss of human life. The members appeal to all parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint and seek freely to attain, and to respect, an immediate cessation of hostilities, to settle their differences exclusively by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force. The members of the Council highly appreciate the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and of the International Committee of the Red Cross in providing emergency humanitarian assistance to Palestinian and Lebanese civilians in and around the city of Tripoli. The members of the Council will continue to follow the situation in Lebanon with the greatest attention.' "
At its 2501st meeting, on 23 November 1983, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: letter dated 22 November 1983 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/16178)" .'7
Resolution 542 (1983)
of 23 November 1983

Adopted at the 2480th meeting hy 13 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (Poland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
Decisions
At its 2495th meeting, on 11 November 1983, the Council decided to invite the representative of the Sudan to participate, without vote, in the discussion of the question.
At the 2496th meeting, on 11 November 1983, after consultations with the members of the Council, the President read out the following statement: 21
18 /hid., 2480th meeting. '"/hid., document S/16036. 20 /hid., para. 20. 21 Document S/16142, incorporated m tht: record of the 2496th meeting.

The Securit.v Council.
HavinR considered the situation prevailing in northern Lebanon.
Rent/linK the statement made on this question by the President of the Security Council on 11 November 1983. 21
Deeply concerned by the intensification of the fighting, which continues to cause great suffering and loss of human life,
I. Deplores the loss of human life caused by the events taking place in northern Lebanon;
2. Reiterates its call for the strict respect for the sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries;
3. Requests the parties concerned immediately to accept a cease-fire and scrupulously to observe the cessation of hostilities;
4. Invites the parties concerned to settle their differences exclusively by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force;

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5. Pays tribute to the work done by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and by the International Committee of the Red Cross in providing emergency humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian and Lebanese civilians in Tripoli and its surroundings;
6. Calls upon the parties concerned to comply with the provisions of the present resolution;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to follow the situation in northern Lebanon, to consult with the Government of Lebanon, and to report to the Security Council, which remains seized of the question.
Adopted unanimously at the 250/st meeting.

"In connection with the resolution just adopted on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, I have been authorized to make the following complementary statement on behalf of the Security Council:
" ·As is known, the report of the SecretaryGeneral on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force22 states, in paragraph 26, that "despite the present quiet in the Israel-Syria sector, the situation in the Middle East as a whole continues to be potentially dangerous and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached.'' That statement of the Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council.' '·

At its 2502nd meeting, on 29 November 1983, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/16169)" .17
Resolution 543 (1983)
of 29 November 1983
The Security Council, Having considered the report of the SecretaryGeneral on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force,22 Decides: (a) To call upon the parties concerned to implement immediately Security Council resolution 338 (1973); (b) To renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for another period of six months, that is, until 31 May 1984; (c) To request the Secretary-General to submit, at the end of this period, a report on the developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973).
Adopted unanimously at the 2502nd meeting.
Decisions
At the same meeting, following the adoption of resolution 543 (1983), the President made the following statement: 23
22 Official Records of the Security Council, Thirty-eighth Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1983, document S/16169.
21 Document S/16188, incorporated in the record of the 2502nd meeting.

On 3 December 1983, the Secretary-General made the following statement at Security Council consultations:24
"I would like to make it clear that the only issue which I have raised is the request for the flying of the United Nations flag, alongside the national flag of the ship concerned, on the ships which would evacuate the armed elements of the Palestine Liberation Organization from Tripoli. The reason for doing this would be on purely humanitarian grounds to facilitate the resolution of a situation which has already cost many innocent lives and created great destruction. The permission to use the United Nations flag would be given to the countries under whose flags the ships involved are operating.
.. I understand that the probable number of ships involved would be approximately five to evacuate some 3,000 armed elements with the possible addition of another 1,000 militia, carrying personal weapons only. The probable destination of the ships would be Tunis and the Yemen Arab Republic. There would be no financial implications and the only purpose would be to provide symbolic protection. The nationalities of the ships concerned and dates of departure would apparently be decided after my reply concerning the use of the flag is received.
·'The actual arrangements for this evacuation are obviously primarily a matter for the Lebanese Government and the parties to the agreement that has been negotiated with the help of Saudi Arabia and Syria. Yesterday afternoon I spoke on the telephone to President Gemayel and, among other issues, mentioned this problem to him. As I understand it, the Lebanese Government has no objection to the use of the United Nations flag on the evacuation ships, provided, as is the normal practice, the Lebanese flag is also flown in Lebanese territorial waters. I shall naturally remain in consultation with the Government of Lebanon in this matter, which obviously requires its concurrence.
"I need hardly add that any action I take will be in line with the overall objective of respecting the
24 S/16194.

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