United Nations Security Council Resolution 425

   The resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) on 19 March 1978 in response to Israel's 14 March 1978 incursion into southern Lebanon in pursuit of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) terrorists (Operation Litani). The resolution called for "strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries." It also called "upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory." Resolution 425 also approved the establishment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restoring international peace and security, and assisting the government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

   From the outset, Israel objected to these terms of reference. In 1978, the government of Menachem Begin stated that withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon would be contingent upon the removal of PLO forces from the area and the withdrawal of all other foreign forces from Lebanon, especially Syrian. On 24 May 2000, the government of Ehud Barak withdrew the Israel Defense Forces from its security zone in southern Lebanon in full compliance with Resolution 425, a fact acknowledged by the UN Security Council. Security Council Resolution 1559 of September 2004 called for Syria to end its occupation of Lebanon and for the disarmament of Hezbollah and other militias.