The UN Peacekeeping Operation in Lebanon and South Sudan

Significance of the studyThe primary significance of UN peacekeeping

operation is halt armed conflict or to prevent its recurrence. It achieves this goal by acting a physical barrier, a “thin blue line”, between hostile parties and monitoring their military movements.

The secondary significance of UN peacekeeping is to create a stable environment for negotiation.

Area of studyThe role and achievements of the

peacekeeping forces in Naquora, Lebanon- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon(UNIFIL) and South Sudan- United Nations Mission (UNMISS)in South Sudan

Facts of the case (Lebanon) In the early 1970’s the tension along the Israel-Lebanon border

increased, especially after the relocation of Palestinian commando operations against Israel and Israeli reprisals against Palestinian bases in Lebanon intensified. On 11 March 1978 , a commando attack in Israel resulted in many dead and wounded among the Israeli population. The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) claimed the responsibility for that raid. In response, Israeli forces invaded Lebanon on the night of 14/15 March 1978, and in a few days occupied the entire southern part of the country except for the city of Tyre and its surrounding area.

On March 15, 1978, the Lebanese Government submitted a strong protest to the security council against the Israeli invasion, stating that it had no connection with the Palestinian Commando Operation . On March 19, the council called upon Israel immediately to cease its military action and withdraw it forces from all Lebanese territory. It also decided on the immediate establishment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The first UNIFIL arrived in Lebanon on March 23, 1978.

Originally UNIFIL was established to: Confirm Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon; Restore international peace and security and Assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in

the area.

*Following the July/ August 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah war, the Security council expanded UNIFIL’s task to:

Monitor the cessation of hostilities Accompany and support of the Lebanese armed forces (LAF) Coordinate these activities w/ the Government of Lebanon and Israel Extend its assistantance to help ensure humanitarian access to

civilian populations Assist the LAF in taking steps the establishment between the Blue

line and the Litani river of an free of any armed personnel, assists, and weapons other than those og the Gov’t of Lebanon and of UN IFIL deployed in this area;

Assist the Gov’t of Lebanon in securing its borders and other entry points to prevent the entry in Lebanon w/o its consent of arms or related material.

Facts of the case (South Sudan) On July 9 2011, South Sudan became the newest country in the

world. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan is the culmination of a six year peace process which began with the signing of the comprehensive Peace Agreement(CPA) on January 9, 2005 between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement(SPLM), which ended more than 20 years of war.

The Security council determined that the situation faced by South Sudan continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The security council established United nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for an initial period of one year, starting from July 9, 2011 for an initial period of one year with the intention to renew for further periods as may be required.

UNMISS’ objective is to consolidate peace and security, and help establish conditions for development in the Republic of South Sudan, with a view to strengthening the capacity of the Government of South Sudan to govern effectively and democratically and established good relations with its neighbors.

Analysis of the Data: Lebanon UNIFIL Facts and Figures

o Location: Southern Lebanon

o Headquarters: Naqourao Duration: March 1978 to

present Current authorization until

31 August 2013o 15,000 troops, supported

by International and Local Civilian staff

Current ( 31 July 2012 )o 11, 530 troops total

uniformed personnelo 345 International Civilian

Staff*o 662 Local Civilian Staff*

Country Contributors of Military Personnel ( 38 ) Armenia, Austria,

Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, France, FYR of Macedonia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Timor-Leste and Turkey

Note: Statistics for International and Local Civilians are as of 30 June 2012

Fatalities o 278 troopso 2 military observero 8 International

Civiliano 6 Local Civilian

___o 294 total

Financial Aspectso Method of

Financing:

Assessment in respect of a Special Accounto Approved Budget:

( 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2013 ): $546,902,700

Analysis of the data: South Sudan Facts and Figures Country ContributorsUnited Nations Mission

in the Republic Of South Sudan ( UNMISS )

In South Sudan since July 2011

Strength: 8,596 total, including:

Uniformed personnel: 6,079o Troops: 5,476o Military observers: 124o Police: 479

Fatalities: 2o 1 troop o 1 international civilian

Military personnel (52 countries) Australia, Bangladesh, Benin,

Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, India, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay. Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Yemen and Zambia.

Financial Aspects

Method of Financing: Assessment in respect of a Special Account

Approved Budget (07/2012- 06/2013): $876,160,800

Note: Statistics for International and Local Civilians are as of 30 June 2912

Police Personnel (28 countries) Argentina, Australia,

Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey

Conclusion On Lebanon: UNIFILS mission has been a failure in

most respect as it did prevent both parties to send small groups to attack the other party through the years.

On South Sudan: More than any other ongoing peacekeeping mission, a rather large sum amount of money is spent to fund the UNMISS. The UN Support the Government of the Republic of South Sudan in developing and Strengthening the major sectors economics, industry and most specially the capacity of the Republic of South Sudan Police Services through advice on policy, planning, and legislative development, as well as training and mentoring in key areas.

RecommendationOn Lebanon: Though having a high toll on

fatalities, the peacekeeping mission should continue to steer clear of the further much-bigger-scale of bloodbath that might happen once the Peacekeeping force are pulled-out.

On South Sudan: A peacekeeping force should be present in South Sudan up until the international community can see that the fledging state can already defend itself in terms of military capabilities and can stand on its own, economically and politically.