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UNOGIL was set up by Security
Council resolution
128 (1958) of 11 June 1958, which decided to “dispatch urgently
an observation group to proceed to Lebanon so as to ensure that there
is no illegal infiltration of personnel or supply of arms or other matériel
across the Lebanese borders”.
The role of UNOGIL
was strictly limited to observation. It was not UNOGIL's task to mediate,
arbitrate or forcefully to prohibit illegal infiltration, although it
was hoped that its very presence on the borders would deter any such traffic.
It was decided that the Group should discharge its duties by the following
methods:
(a) The UNOGIL
military observers would conduct regular and frequent patrols of all
accessible roads from dawn to dusk, primarily in border districts and
the areas adjacent to the zones held by the opposition forces;
(b) A system of
permanent observation posts was to be established and manned by military
observers. The observers were to check all reported infiltration in
their areas and to observe any suspicious development;
(c) An emergency
reserve of military observers was to be stationed at headquarters and
main observation posts for the purpose of making inquiries at short
notice or investigating alleged instances of smuggling;
(d) An evaluation
team was to be set up at headquarters to analyse, evaluate and coordinate
all information received from observers and other sources;
(e) Aerial reconnaissance
was to be conducted by light aeroplanes and helicopters, the former
being equipped for aerial photography;
(f) The Lebanese
Government would provide the Observation Group with all available information
about suspected infiltration. The Group would also request the military
observers to make specific inquiries into alleged activities as occasion
required.
After the conflict
had been settled, tensions eased and UNOGIL was withdrawn. The withdrawal
was completed by 9 December 1958.
© United Nations
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