Taking note of the letter dated 13 July 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General,"
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 31 January 1989;
2. Reiterates its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries;
3. Re-emphasizes the terms of reference and general guidelines of the Force as stated in the report of the Secretary-General of 19 March 1978," approved by resolution 426 (1978), and calls upon all parties concerned to cooperate fully with the Force for the full implementation of its mandate;
4. Reiterates that the Force should fully implement its mandate as defined in resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978) and all other relevant resolutions:
5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue consultations with the Government of Lebanon and other parties directly concerned on the implementation of the present resolution and to report to the Security Council thereon.
Adopted unanimously at tht· 2822nd meeting.

Decision
At its 283lst meeting, on 30 November 1988, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled "The situation in the Middle East: report of the SecretaryGeneral on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/20276)". '"
Resolution 624 (1988)
of 30 November 1988
The Security Council, Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, 27 Decides: (a) To call upon the parties concerned to implement immediately Security Council resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973: (b) To renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for another period of six months, that is, until 31 May 1989; (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).

Resolution 618 (1988)
of 29 July 1988

Adopted unanimously at the 283/st meeting.

The Security Council,
Taking note of paragraph 23 of the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon'' concerning the abduction of Lieutenant-Colonel William Richard Higgins, a military observer of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization serving with the Force,
Recalling the Secretary-General's speci~l report on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon,"
Recalling also its resolution 579 (1985) of 18 December 1985, which, inter alia, condemned unequivocally all acts of hostage-taking and abduction and called for the immediate release of all hostages and abducted persons wherever and by whomever they are being held,
1. Condemns the abduction of Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins;
2. Demands his immediate release;
3. Calls upon Member States to use their influence in any way possible to promote the implementation of the present resolution.
Adopted unanimouslv at the 2822nd meeting.

Decisions
At the same meeting, following the adoption of resolution 624 (1988), the President made the following statement:"
"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 Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force" states, in paragraph 24: "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.' "

24 Ibid., document S/20014. , Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-third K>ar, Supplement for Janoory, February and March 1988, document S/19617.

26 See Official Records of the Security Council, Farty-third K>ar. Supplement for October. November and December /988.
"Ibid., document S/20276. "S/20306.

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