Pages

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

French draft resolution on UNIFIL

      UNIFIL peacekeeper in the Port of Beirut - UN Photo. 


The Security Council,

Recalling all its previous resolutions on Lebanon, in particular resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978), 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006), 1701 (2006), 1773 (2007), 1832 (2008), 1884 (2009), 1937 (2010) and 2004 (2011), 2064 (2012), 2115 (2013), 2172 (2014) and 2236 (2015), 2305 (2016), 2373 (2017), 2433 (2018) and 2485 (2019) as well as the statements of its President on the situation in Lebanon and the Press statements dated 19 December 2016, 27 March 2018, 9 August 2018, 8 February 2019,

Expressing its solidarity with the Lebanese people in the aftermath of the explosion which struck Beirut on August 4, 2020, causing a significant number of casualties and wounding thousands of people, including some UNIFIL personnel, and damaging UNIFIL capacities, and welcoming the International Conference on Assistance and Support to Lebanon and Beirut, organized on the 9th of August by France and the United Nations.

Calling for the swift formation of a new Government which will show its ability to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Lebanese population and to the current main challenges Lebanon is facing, in particular the reconstruction of Beirut and the reforms, without which Lebanon will move towards an economic and social collapse.

Taking due note of the approval, by the Government of Lebanon, of an economic plan as well as of its decision to request an IMF program, stressing the urgent need for the Lebanese authorities to respond to the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing meaningful economic reforms, and notably the commitments made in the framework of the CEDRE conference as well as at the International Support Group for Lebanon meeting held in Paris on the 11th of December 2019 and reiterating, on the basis of those necessary reforms, support to Lebanon to help it exit the current crisis and to address the economic, security, humanitarian challenges, as well as the impact of COVID-19 facing the country, and called upon the international community, including international organizations, to do so.

Commending UNIFIL for the preventive measures taken to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and recalling resolution 2532 and its request to the Secretary-General to instruct peace-keeping operations to provide support, within their mandates and capacities, to host country authorities in their efforts to contain the pandemic, in particular to facilitate humanitarian access, including to internally displaced persons and refugee camps and allow for medical evacuations, as well as its request to the Secretary-General and Member States to take all appropriate steps to protect the safety, security and health of all UN personnel in UN peace operations, while maintaining the continuity of operations, and to take further steps towards the provision of training for peacekeeping personnel on issues related to preventing the spread of COVID-19..

Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a period of one year without amendment presented in a letter from the Lebanese Foreign Minister to the Secretary-General of 2 June 2020 and welcoming the letter from the Secretary-General to its President of 29 July 2020 (S/2020/760) recommending this extension,

Reiterating its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon,

Reaffirming its commitment to the full implementation of all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006), and aware of its responsibilities to help secure a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in the resolution,

Expressing deep concern at the continued lack of progress made towards the establishment of a permanent ceasefire and other key provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) fourteen years after its adoption,

Calling upon all concerned parties to strengthen their efforts, including by exploring concrete solutions with the Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General and the UNIFIL Force Commander, to fully implement all provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) without delay,

Expressing deep concern at all violations in connection with resolution 1701 (2006) as underlined by the Secretary-General in his reports, and recalling the importance of control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory,

Underlining the risk that violations of the cessation of hostilities could lead to a new conflict that none of the parties or the region can afford,

Urging all parties to make every effort to ensure that the cessation of hostilities is sustained, exercise maximum calm and restraint and refrain from any action or rhetoric that could jeopardize the cessation of hostilities or destabilize the region,

Condemning the incidents of August-September 2019 and of the 14 of April and 17 of April 2020, and of 27 July which occurred across the Blue line, calling on the parties to resort to the Tripartite Mechanism when such incidents occur, and further commending the liaison and prevention role played by UNIFIL allowing for de-escalation.

Emphasizing to all parties the importance of full compliance with the prohibition on sales and supply of arms and related materiel established by resolution 1701 (2006),

Recalling the utmost importance that all parties concerned respect the Blue Line in its entirety, noting with great concern that UNIFIL still has not been able to access all relevant locations north of the Blue Line related to the discovery of tunnels crossing the Blue Line which UNIFIL reported as a violation of resolution 1701 (2006), and urging on the Lebanese authorities to urgently conclude all necessary investigations on the matter, in line with resolution 1701 (2006),

Welcoming the continued progress in the marking of the Blue Line, and encouraging the parties to accelerate their efforts in coordination with UNIFIL, including through the tripartite mechanism, to continue working in the ongoing process to delineate and visibly mark the Blue Line in its entirety, as well as to move forward on the marking of its points of contention, as recommended by the Strategic Review,

Condemning in the strongest terms all attempts to threaten the security and stability of Lebanon,

Reaffirming its determination to ensure that no such acts of intimidation prevent UNIFIL from implementing its mandate in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), recalling the necessity for all parties to ensure that UNIFIL personnel are secure and their freedom of movement is fully respected and unimpeded and continues to respect the separate, supporting mandate under which Observer Group Lebanon operates, condemning in the strongest terms all attacks against peacekeepers, including the attack against UNIFIL forces on 4 August 2018 near the town of Majdal Zun, , the attack on 25 May 2020 in the town of Belida Southern Lebanon, and on the 10th of February 2020, in Brashit,

Urging the Lebanese authorities swiftly providing UNIFIL with further updates and finalizing investigations on this matter,

Reiterating the importance of the extension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1559 (2004) and resolution 1680 (2006), and of the relevant provisions of the Taif Accords,

Encouraging all Lebanese parties to resume discussions towards a consensus on a National Defence Strategy as set out by the President of Lebanon and the Lebanese Defense Minister on 29 April 2019, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and the Taif Agreement,

Welcoming Lebanon’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and encouraging the Government of Lebanon to fully implement it, with the support of UNIFIL and women’s civil society groups, as soon as possible and to ensure the full, effective, and meaningful participation of women at all levels of decision-making in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security,

Recalling the importance of ensuring the protection of children and taking appropriate measures in this regard, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions

Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel,

Commending the active role and dedication of the personnel of UNIFIL and expressing its strong appreciation to Member States that contribute to UNIFIL and underlining the necessity that UNIFIL has at its disposal all necessary means and equipment to carry out its mandate,

Recalling the request from the Government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, and reaffirming UNIFIL’s authority to take all necessary action in areas of operations of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind and to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its mandate,

Welcoming the crucial role played by the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, as the only legitimate armed forces in Lebanon, in extending and sustaining the authority of the Government of Lebanon, in particular in southern Lebanon, and responding to other security challenges, including the threat of terrorism, and the strong international commitment to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, which has helped strengthen the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to provide security for Lebanon, urging further international support to the Lebanese Armed Forces in the context of the current economic crisis and further noting the relevance of this increased capacity in relation to their efforts to coordinate with UNIFIL in the implementation of the UNIFIL mandate,

Recalling resolution 2378 (2017) and its request of the Secretary-General to ensure that data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations, including peacekeeping performance data, is used to improve analytics and the evaluation of mission operations, based on clear and well identified benchmarks, further recalling resolution 2436 (2018) and its request of the Secretary-General to ensure that decisions to recognize and incentivize outstanding performance and decisions regarding deployment, remediation, training, withholding of financial reimbursement, and repatriation of uniformed or dismissal of civilian personnel, are predicated on objective performance data, and emphasizing the need to regularly evaluate UNIFIL’s performance such that the mission retains the skills and flexibility needed to effectively carry out its mandate,

Also recalling resolution 2242 (2015) and its request of the Secretary-General to initiate, in collaboration with Member States, a revised strategy, within existing resources, to double the number of women in military and police contingents of UN peacekeeping operations,

Emphasizing the need to regularly review all peacekeeping operations to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, including reviews of UNIFIL when appropriate, taking into account developments on the ground,

Bearing in mind the strategic priorities and recommendations identified by the Secretary-General in his letter of 12 March 2012 (S/2012/151) as a result of the Strategic Review of UNIFIL, taking note of his letter of 8 March 2017 (S/2017/202) as a result of the most recent Strategic Review of UNIFIL, and expressing the need for a follow-up and update,

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s June 2020 Assessment of UNIFIL and noting with appreciation the recommendations to further increase the efficiency and effectiveness of UNIFIL,

Calling upon Member States to assist the Lebanese Armed Forces as needed to enable it to perform its duties in line with resolution 1701 (2006),

Determining that the situation in Lebanon continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,

1. Decides to extend the present mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2021;

2. Commends the positive role of UNIFIL, whose deployment together with the Lebanese Armed Forces has helped to establish a new strategic environment in southern Lebanon, welcomes the expansion of coordinated activities between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and calls for further enhancement of this cooperation without prejudice to UNIFIL’s mandate;

3. Affirms its strong continuing commitment to the existing UNIFIL mandate and calls for the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006);

4. Reiterates its call for Israel and Lebanon to support a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution based on the principles and elements set out in paragraph 8 of resolution 1701 (2006);

5. Strongly reaffirms the necessity of an effective and durable deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon and the territorial waters of Lebanon at an accelerated pace to fully implement the provisions of resolution 1701 (2006) and requests the Secretary-General to include in his future reports assessments of progress made in this regard and calls for renewed engagement of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in the Strategic Dialogue, which aims at carrying out analysis of ground forces and maritime assets and setting a series of benchmarks reflecting the correlation between the capacities and responsibilities of UNIFIL vis-à-vis those of the Lebanese Armed Forces;

6. Recalls its request for precise timelines to be jointly and promptly elaborated by the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Secretary-General, for the deployments in paragraph 5, with a view to identifying Lebanese Armed Forces progress in implementing tasks mandated in resolution 1701 (2006);

7. Reiterates its call for the Government of Lebanon to present a plan to increase its naval capabilities as soon as possible, including with appropriate support from the international community, with the goal of ultimately decreasing UNIFIL’s Maritime Taskforce and transitioning its responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), in close conjunction with the effective build-up of the capabilities of the Lebanese Navy, takes note in that regard of the letter dated 12 March 2019 to the United Nations outlining the commitment of the Government of Lebanon and welcomes its ongoing efforts towards that goal;

8. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the assessment of the continued relevance of UNIFIL’s resources and options for improving the efficiency and effectiveness between UNIFIL and UNSCOL, taking into consideration the troop ceiling and the civilian component of UNIFIL (S/2020/473) and further requests the Secretary-General to elaborate a detailed plan, with timelines and specific modalities, in coordination with the parties, to implement those recommendations ;

9. Reiterates its encouragement of the intention of the Government of Lebanon to deploy a model regiment and an offshore patrol vessel in UNIFIL’s area of operations to advance the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and the authority of the Lebanese State, recalls in this regard the joint statement issued at the end of the 15 March 2018 Rome Conference, in particular Lebanon’s concept for a new Model Regiment proposed in the context of the ongoing Strategic Dialogue between the LAF and UNIFIL, notes Lebanon’s proposed timeline for the deployment of the Model Regiment, and calls on the Lebanese Armed Forces and UNIFIL to strengthen their coordinated actions;

10. Urges further international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and all state security institutions, which are the only legitimate armed forces of Lebanon, in response to the capabilities development plan of the Lebanese Armed Forces, as well as in the framework of the International Support Group for Lebanon, through additional and expedited assistance in areas where the Lebanese Armed Forces are most critically in need of support, including counter-terrorism, border protection and naval capacity;

11. Condemns all violations of the Blue Line, both by air and ground, and strongly calls upon all parties to respect the cessation of hostilities, to prevent any violation of the Blue Line and to respect it in its entirety, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations and UNIFIL;

12. Welcomes the constructive role played by the Tripartite Mechanism in facilitating coordination and in de-escalating tensions, and recognizes the mission leadership’s active efforts, which has helped to further stabilize the situation along the Blue Line and build trust between the parties, expresses in this regard strong support for the continued efforts of UNIFIL to engage with both parties to facilitate liaison, coordination, and practical arrangements on the ground and to continue to ensure that the Tripartite Mechanism enables the parties to discuss a wider range of issues, and encourages the Secretariat to implement measures to further reinforce the capacities of the Tripartite mechanism, including the creation of additional ad hoc sub-committees, as recommended in the assessment report of the Secretary-General ;

13. Stresses the need to foster enhanced cooperation between UNIFIL and the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), with the goal of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the missions, welcomes in this regard the improvements accomplished by the United Nations in terms of efficiencies and effectiveness between UNIFIL and UNSCOL and encourages the Secretary-General to further these efforts ;

14. Urges all parties to abide scrupulously by their obligation to respect the safety of UNIFIL and other United Nations personnel and reiterates its call for closer cooperation between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces in particular regarding coordinated and adjacent patrols, welcomes the commitment of the Lebanese authorities to protect UNIFIL movements and reiterates its call for the rapid finalization of the investigation launched by Lebanon regarding all attacks against UNIFIL and its personnel, in particular the incidents of 4 August 2018, and the 10th of February 2020, in order to bring to justice the perpetrators of these attacks ; and requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council when such incidents occur;

15. Urges all parties to ensure that the freedom of movement of UNIFIL and UNIFIL’s access to the Blue Line in all its parts is fully respected and unimpeded, in conformity with its mandate and its rules of engagement, including by avoiding any course of action which endangers United Nations personnel, condemns in the strongest terms all attempts to restrict the freedom of movement of UNIFIL’s personnel and all attacks on UNIFIL personnel and equipment ; calls on the Government of Lebanon to facilitate UNIFIL’s prompt and full access for the purpose of swift investigation, in line with resolution 1701, while respecting the Lebanese Sovereignty;

15bis. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take all appropriate measures to enhance the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel of UNIFIL in line with resolution 2518 (2020) ;

16. Urges all parties to cooperate fully with the Security Council and the Secretary-General to make tangible progress towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution as envisioned in resolution 1701 (2006) and on all outstanding issues in the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1701 (2006), 1680 (2006) and 1559 (2004), and other relevant Security Council resolutions;

17. Urges the Government of Israel to expedite the withdrawal of its army from northern Ghajar without further delay in coordination with UNIFIL, which has actively engaged Israel and Lebanon to facilitate such a withdrawal;

18. Reaffirms its call on all States to fully support and respect the establishment between the Blue Line and the Litani River of an area free of any armed personnel, assets and weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL;

19. Recalls paragraph 15 of resolution 1701 (2006) according to which all States shall take the necessary measures to prevent, by their nationals or from their territories or using flag vessels or aircraft, the sale or supply of arms and related materiel to any entity or individual in Lebanon other than those authorized by the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL;

20. Acting in support of a request from the Government of Lebanon to deploy an international force to assist it to exercise its authority throughout the territory, recalls its authorization to UNIFIL to take all necessary action in areas of deployment of its forces and as it deems within its capabilities, to ensure that its area of operations is not utilized for hostile activities of any kind, to resist attempts by forceful means to prevent it from discharging its duties under the mandate of the Security Council, and to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment, ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel, humanitarian workers and, without prejudice to the responsibility of the Government of Lebanon, to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence;

21. Commends UNIFIL’s operational changes in line with resolution 2373 (2017) and resolution 2433 (2018) and reiterates its request that the Secretary-General look at ways to enhance UNIFIL’s efforts as regards paragraph 12 of resolution 1701 (2006) and paragraph 14 of this resolution, including ways to increase UNIFIL’s visible presence, including through patrols and inspections, within its existing mandate and capabilities;

22. Recalls the decision that UNIFIL shall assist the government of Lebanon, at its request, as set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 1701 (2006) and within its capabilities, to implement resolution 1701 (2006);

23. Welcomes the efforts being undertaken by UNIFIL to implement the Secretary-General’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensure full compliance of its personnel with the United Nations code of conduct, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take necessary measures to ensure full compliance of all personnel in UNIFIL with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Security Council fully informed about the Mission’s progress in this regard, stresses the need to prevent such exploitation and abuse and to improve how these allegations are addressed in line with its resolution 2272 (2016), and urges troop-contributing countries to continue taking appropriate preventative action, including vetting of all personnel, pre-deployment and in-mission awareness training, and to take appropriate steps to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel, including through timely investigations of allegations, as appropriate, and to hold perpetrators accountable and repatriate units when there is credible evidence of widespread or systematic sexual exploitation and abuse by those units;

24. Welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to standardize a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, recalls its requests in resolution 2378 (2017) and resolution 2436 (2018) that the Secretary-General ensure that performance data related to the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations is used to improve mission operations, including decisions such as those regarding deployment, remediation, repatriation and incentives, and reaffirms its support for the development of a comprehensive and integrated performance policy framework that identifies clear standards of performance for evaluating all United Nations civilian and uniformed personnel working in and supporting peacekeeping operations that facilitates effective and full implementation of mandates, and includes comprehensive and objective methodologies based on clear and well-defined benchmarks to ensure accountability for underperformance and incentives and recognition for outstanding performance, and calls on the United Nations to apply this framework to UNIFIL as described in resolution 2436 (2018) in particular by investigating and taking immediate action on underperformance, to include the rotation, repatriation, replacement or dismissal of the under-performing UNIFIL uniformed or civilian personnel, including mission leadership and mission support personnel, consistent with resolution 2436 (2018), ; notes the efforts of the Secretary-General to develop a comprehensive performance assessment system to help troop contributing countries meet United Nations performance standards and requests the Secretary-General and the troop-contributing countries to seek to increase the number of women in UNIFIL, as well as to ensure the full, effective and meaningful participation of women in all aspects of operations;

25. Requests UNIFIL to take fully into account gender considerations as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Lebanese authorities in ensuring the full, effective and meaningful participation, involvement and representation of women at all levels of decision-making in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, as well as to support national efforts to prevent and respond to sexual and gender based violence, further requests enhanced reporting by UNIFIL to the Security Council on this issue;

26. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Council on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), every four months, or at any time as he deems appropriate, and to include in his reporting a prompt and detailed breakdown of all resolution 1701 (2006) violations, prompt and detailed reports on violations of the sovereignty of Lebanon, prompt and detailed reports on the restrictions to UNIFIL’s freedom of movement, an enhanced annex on the implementation on the arms embargo, reports on specific areas where UNIFIL does not access and on the reasons behind these restrictions, potential risks to the cessation of hostilities and UNIFIL’s response as well as reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the 2016–2017 Strategic review and the 2020 assessment report by the Secretary-General and on additional identified efficiencies to most appropriately fulfil its mandated tasks; requests the Secretary-General to continue to provide concrete and detailed information on the aforementioned issues to the Council, in line with changes to enhance reporting since the adoption of resolution 2373 (2017), 2433 (2018) and 2485 (2019) ;

27. Authorizes UNIFIL to take temporary and special measures to provide support to Lebanon in the aftermath of the explosions that occurred in the port of Beirut on 4 August 2020 ; requests the Secretary-General to conduct an assessment of the impact of those explosions on UNIFIL personnel, capacities and operations, together with recommendations to address such impact, with a view to maintain continuity and effectiveness of UNIFIL’s operations ;

28. Stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 1515 (2003) of 19 November 2003 and 1850 (2008) of 16 December 2008;

29. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab 

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Revised US Draft Resolution on Iran Arms Embargo

 The Security Council,

PP1.  Recalling the Statement of its President, S/PRST/2006/15, and its resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008), 1929 (2010), and 2231 (2015),

PP2.  Recognizing that full implementation of the provisions of paragraph 5 and subparagraphs (b) and (e) of paragraph 6 of Annex B of resolution 2231 (2015) is essential to the maintenance of international peace and security, 

OP1.  Decides, acting under Article 41 of the Charter of the United Nations, that paragraph 5 and subparagraphs (b) and (e) of paragraph 6 of Annex B of resolution 2231 (2015), notwithstanding the duration specified in each paragraph or subparagraph, shall continue to apply until the Security Council decides otherwise;

OP2.  Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab 

Thursday, August 6, 2020

"US Draft Resolution" on Iran Arms Embargo

UN Photo


DRAFT Security Council Resolution on Iranian Regional Attacks and Arms Proliferation


The Security Council,

PP1. Reaffirming the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, and recalling the importance of the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, and international co-operation,

PP2. Deploring the attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 14 September 2019, which caused severe damage at Abqaiq and Khurais, targeted the security and stability of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and jeopardized the world economy by attacking the supply of energy,

PP3. Recalling the assessment of the Secretary-General that the cruise missiles and delta-wing uncrewed aerial vehicles, and/or parts thereof, used in the attack on Saudi Arabia were of Iranian origin, [Secretary-General's 9th Report on UNSCR 2231 Implementation]

PP4. Further recalling that the Panel of Experts on Yemen concluded that the Houthi forces did not launch the attacks on Abqaiq and Khurais on 14 September 2019 (S/2020/70),

PP5. Deploring the attack on 12 May 2019 against four oil tankers, flagged in Norway, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, off of the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and the attack on 13 June 2019 against two oil tankers, flagged in the Marshall Islands and Singapore, in the Gulf of Oman,

PP6. Expressing grave concern about the risk that these attacks posed to global energy supplies, to freedom of navigation in the region, to the safety of persons working in the energy and maritime transportation sectors, and to the environment,

PP7. Taking note of the decision of the Council of the International Maritime Organisation to condemn tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman, including a statement on heightened maritime security measures for ships operating in that area, adopted on 18 July 2019 during its 122nd session,

PP8. Expressing grave concern at the 27 December attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk, Iraq, which killed a U.S. citizen and wounded several American and Iraqi personnel, which were carried out by Kata’ib Hezbollah, an organization supported by the Government of Iran,

PP9. Deploring ongoing Iranian support for militias and other armed groups, which threatens to destabilize the region and contributed to the 31 December attack on the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq,

PP10. Recalling in this regard the fundamental principle of the inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises, and the special duty of host Governments under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of these missions or impairment of their dignity,

PP11. Recalling the letter of 9 January 2020 from the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the President of the Security Council, which called attention to multiple Iranian missile strikes on 8 January 2020 targeting Iraqi military bases for Iraqi and coalition forces (S/2020/26),

PP12. Taking note of the Secretary-General’s assessment that certain arms and related materiel seized off the coast of Yemen in November 2019 and February 2020 were delivered to Iran after the adoption of resolution 2231 and are of Iranian origin, [Secretary-General's 9th Report on UNSCR 2231 Implementation]

PP13. Taking note of the Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen (S/2020/70), which concludes that the Houthi forces continue to receive military support in the form of assault rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, anti-tank guided missiles, and more sophisticated cruise missile systems, and that some of those weapons have technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured in Iran,

PP14. Determining that such attacks and continued proliferation of arms and related materiel by Iran constitute a threat to international peace and security,

PP15. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, and taking measures under its Article 41,

1. Condemns the September 2019 attack against Saudi Arabia carried out by Iran;

2. Further condemns the December 2019 attacks against an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk and the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq;

3. Deplores Iran’s transfers of arms to militias and other armed groups in the region, and demands that Iran cease all such transfers immediately;

4. Further deplores violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia and other states in the region as well as the impact on their infrastructure;

5. Condemns the recent attacks on commercial ships in and near the Strait of Hormuz;

6. Demands that such attacks cease forthwith and that the navigational rights and freedoms of all states be upheld in accordance with international law;

7. Affirms the need for Member States to de-escalate tensions in the region and refrain from provocative acts;

8. Requests that the Secretary-General report to the Security Council any attack by an armed group that threatens the stability of the region, or any attack that interferes with the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms in this area, and further requests that the Secretary-General submit any such reports within one week of such incidents;

9. Decides that, effective upon the expiration of the measures imposed in resolution 2231, Annex B, paragraph 5, all Member States shall prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer to Iran, through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in their territories, of arms and related materiel unless the Committee has approved at least 30-days in advance on a case-by-case basis such activity for humanitarian purposes or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this resolution;

10. Decides that, effective upon the expiration of the measures imposed in resolution 2231, Annex B, paragraph 6(b), Iran shall not supply, sell, or transfer, directly or indirectly, from its territory, by its nationals, or using its flag vessels or aircraft, any arms or related materiel, and that all Member States shall prohibit the procurement of such items from Iran by their nationals, or using their flagged vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in the territory of Iran;

11. Decides that, effective upon the expiration of the measures imposed in resolution 2231, Annex B, paragraphs 5 and 6(b), all Member States shall prevent any transfers to Iran by their nationals or from their territories, or from Iran by its nationals or from its territory, of technical training, financial resources or services, advice, other services or assistance related to the supply, sale, transfer, manufacture, maintenance, or use of arms and related materiel unless the Committee has approved at least 30-days in advance on a case-by-case basis such activity for humanitarian purposes or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of this resolution;

12. Decides that all Member States shall inspect, consistent with applicable international law, all cargo within or transiting through their territory, including in their airports, seaports, and free trade zones, that has originated from Iran, or that is destined for Iran, or has been brokered by or facilitated by Iran or its nationals, or by individuals and entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or entities owned or controlled by them, or by designated individuals or entities, or that is being transported on Iranian flagged aircraft or maritime vessels, if the Member State concerned has reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, or transfer of which is prohibited by this resolution;

13. Decides to authorize all Member States to, and that all Member States shall, seize and dispose (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable or unusable, storage, or transferring to a State other than the originating or destination States for disposal) of items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by this resolution that are identified in inspections, in a manner that is not inconsistent with their obligations under international law, including applicable Security Council resolutions;

14. Calls upon all Member States, when they undertake an inspection or seize and dispose of cargo pursuant to this resolution, to submit promptly reports containing relevant details to the Committee on such inspection, seizure, or disposal within 30 days of the inspection, seizure, or disposal for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of those provisions;

15. Calls upon all Member States to inspect vessels with the consent of the flag State, on the high seas, if they have information that provides reasonable grounds to believe that the cargo of such vessels contains items the supply, sale, or transfer of which is prohibited by this resolution, for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of those provisions;

16. Calls upon all Member States to cooperate with inspections pursuant to this resolution’s provisions, and, if the flag State does not consent to inspection on the high seas, decides that the flag State shall direct the vessel to proceed to an appropriate and convenient port for the required inspection by the local authorities;

17. Requires any Member State, when it does not receive the cooperation of a flag State of a vessel pursuant to paragraph [16] above, to submit promptly to the Committee a report containing relevant details regarding the incident, the vessel and the flag State, and requests the Committee to release on a regular basis information regarding these vessels and flag States involved;

18. Affirms that paragraphs [15 and 16] contemplate only inspections carried out by warships and other ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect, and underscores that it does not apply with respect to inspection of vessels entitled to sovereign immunity under international law;

19. Decides that all Member States shall seize, inspect, freeze (impound), confiscate, and dispose of any vessel in their ports, in a manner consistent with national legal authorities, if the Member State concerned has reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was involved in activities prohibited by this resolution, unless the Committee decides, on a case-by-case basis and upon request of the impounding State, flag State, State with jurisdiction over the owner of the vessel, or other relevant State, that the vessel may be released from impoundment because disposal would not further the objectives of this resolution and adequate arrangements have been made to prevent the vessel from contributing to future violations of the measures imposed by this resolution, further decides that any Member State may seize, inspect, freeze (impound), confiscate, and dispose of any vessel subject to its jurisdiction in its territorial sea, in a manner consistent with national legal authorities, if the Member State concerned has reasonable grounds to believe that the vessel was involved in activities prohibited by this resolution, clarifies that disposal shall be in such a manner that the vessel will not contribute to future violations of the measures imposed by this resolution (which could include scrapping, rendering inoperable or unusable, long-term storage, or transferring to another Member State other than the originating or destination States for disposal), and encourages Member States to consult with the flag States of relevant vessels and Member States with jurisdiction over the owners of relevant vessels prior to disposal;

20. Affirms that paragraphs [15, 16, and 17] apply only with respect to the situation addressed in this resolution and shall not affect the rights, obligations, or responsibilities of Member States under international law, including any rights or obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982, with respect to any other situation;

21. Decides that all Member States shall, in accordance with their respective legal processes, freeze immediately the funds, other financial assets, and economic resources which are on their territories at the date of the adoption of this resolution or at any time thereafter, that are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the persons or entities designated by the Committee or by the Security Council, [including in Annex I of this resolution,] as being engaged in or providing support for the activities prohibited by paragraphs [9, 10, or 11] of this resolution, or by persons or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them, including through illicit means, and ensure that any funds, financial assets, or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any persons or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of such persons or entities;

22. Decides that all Member States shall take the necessary steps to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of the persons designated by the Committee or by the Security Council, [including those in Annex II of this resolution,] as being as being engaged in or providing support for the activities prohibited by paragraphs [9, 10, or 11] of this resolution, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall oblige a state to refuse its own nationals entry into its territory;

23. Decides that paragraph [21] shall not apply to funds, other financial assets, or economic resources that have been determined by relevant Member States:

a. To be necessary for basic expenses, including payment for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums, and public utility charges, or exclusively for payment of reasonable professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses associated with the provision of legal services, or fees or service charges, for routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds, other financial assets and economic resources, after notification by the relevant States to the Committee of the intention to authorize, where appropriate, access to such funds, other financial assets and economic resources at least 30 days in advance with detailed information submitted to sufficiently explain the transactions and provide reasonable assurances that the funds would not be diverted for other purposes and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee within five working days of such notification;

b. To be necessary for extraordinary expenses, provided that such determination has been notified by the relevant States to the Committee at least 30 days in advance and has been approved by the Committee; or

c. To be subject of a judicial, administrative or arbitral lien or judgement, in which case the funds, other financial assets and economic resources may be used to satisfy that lien or judgement provided that the lien or judgement was entered prior to the date of the present resolution, is not for the benefit of a person referred to in paragraph [21] or an individual or entity identified by the Security Council or the Committee, and has been notified by the relevant States to the Committee at least 30 days in advance;

24. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph [22] above shall not apply where the Committee determines on a case-by-case basis at least 15 days in advance that such travel is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligations, or where the Committee concludes that an exemption would otherwise further the objectives of this resolution;

25. Decides to establish, in accordance with rule 28 of its provisional rules of procedure, a Committee of the Security Council consisting of all the members of the Council (herein “the Committee”), to undertake the following tasks:

d. To monitor the implementation of the measures imposed in this resolution;

e. To designate those individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed in paragraphs [21 and 22], and to review information regarding those individuals and entities;

f. To consider and decide upon requests for exemptions set out in the paragraphs above;

g. To establish such guidelines as may be necessary to facilitate the implementation of the measures imposed in this resolution;

h. To encourage a dialogue between the Committee and interested Member States and international, regional and subregional organizations, in particular those in the region, including by inviting representatives of such States or organizations to meet with the Committee to discuss implementation of the measures;

i. To seek from all States and international, regional, and sub-regional organizations whatever information it may consider useful regarding the actions taken by them to implement effectively the measures imposed above;

j. To examine and take appropriate action on information regarding alleged violations or non-compliance with the measures contained in this resolution;

26. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary financial arrangements to enable the Committee to undertake the tasks mentioned in paragraph [25] above;

27. Requests the Secretary-General to create, for an initial period of twelve months from the adoption of this resolution, in consultation with the Committee, a group of up to eight experts (“Panel of Experts”), under the direction of the Committee, and to make the necessary financial and security arrangements to support the work of the Panel, expresses its intent to consider the renewal of this mandate no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, and decides that the Panel shall carry out the following tasks:

k. Assist the Committee in carrying out its mandate as specified in this resolution, including through providing the Committee with information relevant to the potential designation at a later stage of individuals and entities pursuant to paragraphs [21 and 22] above;

l. Gather, examine and analyse information from States, relevant United Nations bodies, regional organizations and other interested parties regarding the implementation of the measures imposed in this resolution, in particular incidents of non-compliance;

m. Provide to the Council two reports no later than six months and twelve months, respectively, from the adoption of this resolution, and periodic updates in between;

n. Assist the Committee in refining and updating information on the list of individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed by paragraphs [21 and 22] above, including through the provision of biometric information and additional information for the publicly-available narrative summary of reasons for listing;

28. Notes that the selection process of the experts composing the Panel should prioritize appointing individuals with the strongest qualifications to fulfil the duties described above while paying due regard to the importance of regional and gender representation in the recruitment process;

29. Directs the Panel of Experts to cooperate with other relevant expert groups established by the Security Council to support the work of its Sanctions Committees, including the Panel of Experts established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014), and with the Secretary-General in his reporting on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), particularly with respect to its arms embargo;

30. Urges all parties and Member States, as well as international, regional, and subregional organizations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts, and further urges all Member States involved to ensure the safety of the members of the Panel of Experts and unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents and sites in order for the Panel of Experts to execute its mandate;

31. Calls upon all States, particularly those in the region, to actively implement the measures contained in this resolution and to regularly report to the Committee on the actions they have taken to implement the measures imposed in this resolution;

32. Requests the Committee to report orally, through its Chair, on a quarterly basis every year to the Council, on the state of the overall work of the Committee, and encourages the Chair to hold regular briefings for all interested Member States including through open briefings and special meetings for the full General Assembly membership;

33. Expresses its intention, in the event of non-compliance with the present resolution, to consider additional measures that are commensurate with the gravity of the situation in order to maintain international peace and security;

34. Expresses its intention to keep the situation in the region under continuous review;

35. Decides to remain seized of the matter. 


Annex I

Individuals Subject to the Travel Ban and Assets Freeze

1. ESMAIL GHANI

a. Description: ALTERNATIVE: Esmail Ghani replaced Qasem Soleimani as Commander of the IRGC-QF. The IRGC-QF, Iran’s primary tool for conducting unconventional operations abroad, maintains a wide and varied network of non-state partners, proxies, and affiliates primarily in the Middle East. Iran provides a range of financial, political, training, and materiel support to these groups, which has included small arms, ammunition, explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), vehicles, antitank guided missiles (ATGMs), man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), artillery, rockets, UAVs, and some more-advanced systems, such as ASCMs and ballistic missiles.

b. NEZHAD, Ismail Akbar; AKBARNEJAD, Esmaeil Ghaani; QANI, Esmail; GHA'ANI, Esma'il; GHAANI, Esmail; QA'ANI, Esma'il

c. Identifiers: DOB: 08 August 1957; POB: Mashhad, Iran; Passport (Iran): D9008347 (Issued 18 July 2010, Expired 18 July 2015); Passport (Iran): D9003033

2. HASSAN PELARAK

a. Description: Hassan Pelarak, an IRGC-QF officer, was selected by former IRGC-QF Commander Qasem Soleimani to serve as his special assistant on an IRGC-QF-led committee focused on sanctions evasions activity. Pelarak also worked with IRGC-QF officials to transfer missiles, explosives, and small arms to Yemen, intensifying the Yemeni conflict and exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophes.

b. AKA: POLARAK, Hassan; JA'FARI, Hasan

c. Identifiers: DOB: 3 September 1961; Nationality: Iran; National ID No. (Iran): 3051910163; Passport (Iran): D10001869; Passport (Iran): V43936121; Gender: Male; Addresses: Iran, Iraq

3. ABDOLHOSSEIN KHEDRI

a. Description: For years, the IRGC-QF has used Abdolhossein Khedri and firms under his control to support maritime weapons smuggling operations. For over ten years, Iranian businessman Abdolhossein Khedri had been involved in shipping operations for the IRGC-QF.

b. AKA: KHEDRI, Abdolhossein Heid; KHODRI, Abed Al Hsein Heid; KHEDRI, Abdul Hossein

c. Identifiers: DOB: May 1971; POB: Bushehr Province, Iran; Gender: Male; Address: Iran

4. MAHMUD BAGHERI KAZEMABAD

a. Description: Bagheri is the Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Al- Ghadir Missile Command (ASF AGMC). He oversees the transfer of missile components and the deployment of ballistic missile specialists across the region in support of the IRGC’s activities. He provided ballistic missile-related technical

expertise to Yemen’s Houthis and transferred weapons not seen in Yemen prior to the current conflict on behalf of the IRGC-QF.

b. AKA: BAGHERI-KAZEMABAD, Mahmud; BAGHERI, Mahmud Kazemabad; KAZEMABAD, Mahmoud Bagheri; KZEMABAD, Mahmoud Bagheri; BAGHERI, Mahmud; BAGHERI, Mahmoud

c. Identifiers: DOB: 26 June 1965; POB: Meybod, Iran; Nationality: Iran; National ID No. (Iran): 448947941; Passport (Iran): J32377129 (Expires 31 August 2020); Gender: Male; Address: Iran

5. MOHAMMAD AGHA JA’FARI

a. Description: Ja’fari is a senior IRGC official who oversees the transfer of missile components and the deployment of ballistic missile specialists across the region in support of the IRGC’s activities. He has provided ballistic missile-related technical expertise to Yemen’s Houthis and transferred weapons not seen in Yemen prior to the current conflict on behalf of the IRGC-QF.

b. AKA: JA'FARI, Mohammad

c. Identifiers: DOB: 1966, 1967; POB: Kashan, Iran; Address: Iran

Annex II

Entities Subject to the Assets Freeze

1. ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS CORPS (IRGC) - QODS FORCE (IRGC-QF)

a. Description: The IRGC-QF, Iran’s primary tool for conducting unconventional operations abroad, maintains a wide and varied network of non-state partners, proxies, and affiliates primarily in the Middle East. Iran provides a range of financial, political, training, and materiel support to these groups, which has included small arms, ammunition, explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosively formed penetrators (EFPs), vehicles, antitank guided missiles (ATGMs), man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), artillery, rockets, UAVs, and some more-advanced systems, such as ASCMs and ballistic missiles.

b. AKA: PASDARAN-E ENGHELAB-E ISLAMI (PASDARAN); SEPAH-E QODS (JERUSALEM FORCE); IRGC-QF; IRGC-QUDS FORCE; ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS-QODS FORCE; QODS FORCE; QUDS FORCE; JERUSALEM FORCE; AL QODS; SEPAH-E QODS; QODS (JERUSALEM) FORCE OF THE IRGC

c. Identifiers: Address: Tehran, Iran; Syria

2. MINISTRY OF DEFENSE AND ARMED FORCES LOGISTICS

a. Description: The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) oversees Iran’s defense industry. MODAFL arms and equips the armed forces, which include the IRGC-QF, through military research and development, production, acquisition, and personnel support. The major industrial organizations subordinate to MODAFL are responsible for the research, development, and production of nearly all types of military hardware, including ballistic and cruise missiles, SAMs, radars, armored vehicles, UAVs, naval vessels, small arms, ammunition, and communications equipment.

b. AKA: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE AND SUPPORT FOR ARMED FORCES LOGISTICS; MODAFL; MODSAF; MINISTRY OF DEFENSE FOR ARMED FORCES LOGISTICS; MINISTRY OF DEFENSE ARMED FORCES LOGISTICS; VEZARAT-E DEFA VA POSHTYBANI-E NIRU-HAYE MOSALLAH; MINISTRY OF DEFENCE & ARMED FORCES LOGISTICS; GOVERNMENT OF IRAN DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE; VEZARATE DEFA

c. Identifiers: Address: Ferdowsi Avenue, Sarhang Sakhaei Street, Tehran, Iran; PO Box 11365-8439, Pasdaran Ave, Tehran, Iran; West side of Dabestan Street, Abbas Abad District, Tehran, Iran

3. AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ORGANIZATION (AIO)

a. Description: The Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) produces ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, anti-air missiles, and anti-tank guided missiles. AIO subordinates Shahid Hemmat Industries Group (SHIG) and Shahid Bakeri Industries Group (SBIG) are the primary entities responsible for ballistic missile development and production. Iran domestically develops and produces liquid- and solid-propellant ballistic missiles and continues to improve

the range, lethality, and accuracy of its missile systems. SHIG and SBIG are responsible for producing Iran's QIAM missile. Iran has provided QIAM missiles to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as evidenced by remnants collected from two Iranian-origin QIAM missiles fired into Saudi Arabia by the Houthis in 2017, which were stamped with the SHIG acronym.

b. AKA: SAZMANE SANAYE HAVA FAZA; AIO

c. Identifiers: Address: Langare Street, Nobonyad Square, Tehran, Iran

4. DEFENSE INDUSTRIES ORGANIZATION

a. Description: MODAFL’s Defense Industries Organization (DIO) is responsible for procuring tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, small arms, ammunition, and explosives.

b. AKA: DIO; DEFENCE INDUSTRIES ORGANISATION; SAZEMANE SANAYE DEFA; SASEMAN SANAJE DEFA; SASADJA

c. Identifiers: Address: P.O. Box 19585-777, Pasdaran Street, Entrance of Babaie Highway, Permanent Expo of Defence Industries Organization, Tehran, Iran

5. MARINE INDUSTRIES ORGANIZATION

a. Description: The Marine Industries Organization (MIO) and its subsidiaries are the primary domestic producers of naval platforms for both of Iran’s navies. These industries build a wide range of small high-speed boats equipped with guns, rockets, and missiles primarily for the IRGC Navy. MIO is responsible for producing Iran's SHARK-33 explosive-laden, unmanned attack boat. The Houthis used an unmanned explosive small boat to attack the Saudi Arabia frigate HMS al Madinah in 2017, and a SHARK-33 captured in 2016 that Iran provided to the Houthis contained a fuze plate identical to that produced by MIO's Shahid Jolaie Marine Industries.

b. AKA: MIO

c. Identifiers: Address: Pasdaran Av., PO Box 19585/777, Tehran, Iran

6. IRAN AVIATION INDUSTRIES ORGANIZATION

a. Description: The Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO) is a key MODAFL subordinate responsible for managing Iran’s military aviation industry, including the development of long range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). IAIO entity Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries (HESA) produces the QASEF UAV, a UAV configuration unique to Iran. Houthi forces used a QASEF UAV in a 10 January 2019 attack on Al Anad airbase in Yemen.

b. AKA: IAIO, SAZMANE SANAYE HAVAI

c. Identifiers: Address: Karaj Special Road, Mehrabad Airport, Tehran, Iran; Sepahbod Gharani 36, Tehran, Iran; 3th km Karaj Special Road, Aviation Industries Boulevard, Tehran, Iran

7. MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LOGISTICS EXPORT

a. Description: MODLEX sells Iranian-produced arms to customers around the world.

b. AKA: MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LEGION EXPORT; MODLEX

c. Identifiers: Address: PO Box 16315-189, Tehran, Iran, located on the west side of Dabestan Street, Abbas Abad District, Tehran, Iran; PO Box 19315-189, Pasdaran Street, South Noubonyand Square, Tehran, Iran. 


Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab