United Nations Security Council Resolution 1712

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5542nd meeting, on 29 September 2006

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and statements by its President concerning the situations in Liberia and the subregion, in particular its resolutions 1509 (2003) of 19 September 2003, 1694 (2006) of 13 July 2006 and 1667 (2006) of 31 March 2006,

Welcoming the Secretary-General’s report of 12 September 2006 (S/2006/743),

Further welcoming the steps taken by the Government of Liberia to combat corruption,

Expressing its appreciation for the continuing support of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) for the Liberian peace process, as well as for financial and other assistance provided by the international community,

Commending the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for the significant part its support has played in restoring peace and stability to Liberia,

Emphasizing that significant challenges remain in completing reintegration and repatriation of ex-combatants and the urgent restructuring of the Liberian security sector, as well as maintaining stability in Liberia and the subregion,

Welcoming UNMIL’s deployments in vulnerable areas at Liberia’s borders,

Reiterating the continuing need for UNMIL’s support for the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone,

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

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides that the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) shall be extended until 31 March 2007;

2. Reaffirms its intention to authorize the Secretary-General to redeploy troops between UNMIL and the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) on a temporary basis in accordance with the provisions of resolution 1609 (2005), as may be needed;

3. Endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendations for a phased, gradual consolidation, drawdown and withdrawal of UNMIL’s troop contingent, as the situation permits and without compromising the security of Liberia;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to monitor progress on the stabilization of Liberia and to continue to keep the Security Council informed, with particular reference to the broad benchmarks laid out in paragraphs 70 to 71 and annex 1 of his report of 12 September 2006, in particular the restructuring of the security sector, the reintegration of former combatants, the facilitation of political and ethnic reconciliation, the consolidation of State authority throughout the country, judicial reform, restoration of effective Government control over the country’s natural and mineral resources, and establishment of a stable and secure environment necessary to foster economic growth;

5. Calls on the Government of Liberia, in close coordination with UNMIL, to take the necessary steps on its part towards achieving the benchmarks laid out in paragraph 4 above, including ensuring the effective implementation of the Forestry Reform Law, the continuing commitment to the Government and Economic Management Program, and the rapid development of a national security policy and architecture and encourages the international community to support these efforts;

6. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by UNMIL 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, and requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary action in this regard and to keep the Security Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action, including the conduct of predeployment awareness training, and to take disciplinary and other action to ensure that allegations of sexual exploitation or abuse against their personnel are properly investigated and, if substantiated, punished;

7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.