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UN Security Council Renews Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon
(Reuters) Michelle Nichols - The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously voted to extend the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), established in 1978, that patrols Lebanon's southern border with Israel. The mandate for its operation is renewed annually, and its current authorization was due to expire on Saturday. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said Wednesday: "I have a message for the Lebanese people: You and your government have a choice to make. Confront Hizbullah today, or watch as your country is dragged into chaos and destruction. Do not let Hizbullah and Iran dictate your future. If you fail to act, the devastation that follows will be on your hands. Israel does not seek war, but as we demonstrated this week, we will not hesitate to defend our people." Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the council: "Going forward, we need to address the ways in which Hizbullah and other malign actors in Lebanon prevent the full implementation of Resolution 1701, constrain UNIFIL's ability to operate freely, and threaten UN peacekeepers' safety and security."