Full Israeli Implementation of Resolution 425

(Communicated by Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
July 25, 2000

Israel welcomes the announcement by the UN Secretary General to the Security Council (24 July), confirming that Israel has corrected all the violations along its border with Lebanon. The Secretary General's announcement marks the successful conclusion of the lengthy dialogue between Foreign Minister David Levy and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, as well as the series of diplomatic efforts in the capitals of the member states of the Security Council, demonstrating that Israel has implemented in full its part under Resolution 425.

The Secretary General's announcement notes that the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces will be deployed along the border within days. Israel expresses the hope that Lebanon, too, will fulfill its obligations in accordance with UN resolution 425, will reestablish effective rule over southern Lebanon, and will take action to halt the violations emanating from its territory which infringe upon Israeli sovereignty. In the UN Secretary General's report, published on 20 July, prior to the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate, the Secretary General called upon the Lebanese authorities to put an end to the phenomenon of stone-throwing from Lebanese territory.

The Foreign Ministry will continue to cooperate fully with the UN in order to ensure full implementation of UN Resolution 425, which includes a call to establish peace and security between the two states.