Page "History of Lebanon" Paragraph 89

In Resolution 425, the UN had set a goal of assisting the Lebanese government in a " return of its effective authority in the area ", which would require an official Lebanese army presence there.

Further, UN Security Council Resolution 1559 requires the dismantling of the Hezbollah militia.

Yet, Hezbollah remains deployed along the Blue Line.

Both Hezbollah and Israel have violated the Blue Line more than once, according to the UN.

The most common pattern of violence have been border incursions by the Hezbollah into the Shebaa Farms area, and then Israeli air strikes into southern Lebanon.

The UN Secretary-General has urged " all governments that have influence on Hezbollah to deter it from any further actions which could increase the tension in the area ".

Staffan de Misura, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Southern Lebanon stated that he was " deeply concerned that air violations by Israel across the Blue Line during altercations with Hezbollah are continuing to take place ", calling " upon the Israeli authorities to cease such violations and to fully respect the Blue Line ".

In 2001 de Misura similarly expressed his concern to Lebanon's prime minister for allowing Hezbollah to violate the Blue Line, saying it was a " clear infringement " of UN Resolution 425, under which the UN certified Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon as complete.

On January 28, 2005, UN Security Council Resolution 1583 called upon the Government of Lebanon to fully extend and exercise its sole and effective authority throughout the south, including through the deployment of sufficient numbers of Lebanese armed and security forces, to ensure a calm environment throughout the area, including along the Blue Line, and to exert control over the use of force on its territory and from it.