Historique

En mai 1958, une rébellion armée éclate au Liban quand le président Camille Chamoun (un Chrétien maronite) annonce son intention d’amender la constitution pour lui permettre de briguer un second mandat. Les violences, débutées dans la ville de Tripoli à dominante musulmane, s’étendent bientôt à Beyrouth puis à l’ensemble du pays pour se transformer en une véritable guerre civile.

Le 22 mai, le Liban réclame une session d’urgence au Conseil de sécurité pour étudier sa plainte à l’égard de la République Arabe Unie qu’il accuse d’implication dans ses problèmes intérieurs. Les pourparlers ont abouti à l’adoption le 11 juin 1958 de la résolution 128, avec l’appui du Liban et de la République Arabe Unie, qui ouvre la voie au déploiement d’un groupe d’observateurs.

Mandat

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.