Lebanon response OCHA situation report No. 41

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

- UNIFIL sets rules of engagement in the light of Security Council Resolution 1701

- IRIN to produce documentary film on social and economic impact of unexploded cluster sub-munitions and other UXOs

- Nearly one thousand personnel to be involved in UXO clearance operation by end of October

- Prime Minister announces the mechanisms of compensation for the recovery phase.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

FAO Assessment

1. A five-person FAO team is currently undertaking a damage and early recovery assessment mission in Lebanon looking at the agricultural, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors. The mission will include an assessment of the economic and social impact of the conflict.

2. The FAO mission is being undertaken at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry is providing FAO's specialists Lebanese counterparts to work with them on the assessment. Field work for the assessment is expected to be concluded by 13 October, with the sectoral reports, which will focus on damage and short-term needs, including specific project proposals, written by 27 October.

The FAO reports will be made public by early November in time for the Beirut Conference which currently is expected to be held in late November or early December.

UNIFIL rules of engagement

3. United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon have the authority to use force against hostile activity of any kind, whether in self-defence, to ensure their area of operations is not used for hostile activities or to resist attempts by force to prevent them from discharging their duties, according to recently published guidelines. "Should the situation present any risk of resumption of hostile activities, UNIFIL rules of engagement allow UN forces to respond as required," the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement, laying out the terms of the Security Council mandate that established it in August to oversee the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah.

4. "UNIFIL commanders have sufficient authority to act forcefully when confronted with hostile activity of any kind," the statement added, noting that the force so far had 5,200 out of a maximum of 15,000 permitted under Security Council resolution 1701.

Greenpeace issues report on pollution

5. Half the Lebanese population of "nearly two million people" could face health risks from toxic material released by Israeli bombing during the recent conflict. This is according to the environmental group, Greenpeace, in a report it released from its flagship, the Rainbow Warrior in Beirut Port on 05 October. "Chemical traces and dust from buildings that were destroyed have heavily contaminated the air and land," the environmental group said. In addition, bombed-out factories have released chemicals that could potentially affect 2 million inhabitants in the country.

UN human rights report issued in Geneva 2/10/06

6. The report of the Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council on their mission to Lebanon and Israel from 7 to 14 September, found that serious violations of both human rights and humanitarian law were committed by Israel. It also found that Hezbollah violated the applicable principles of humanitarian law, by targeting the civilian population in northern Israel. The report addressed a number of recommendations to, among others, the Government of Israel and to the Government of Lebanon.

7. In Beirut, Member of Parliament Ghassan Mokheiber, the head of its Human Rights Committee, criticised, in the local Lebanon press, the report compiled by a number of UN experts, dealing with Israeli violations of international law during its offensive on Lebanon. Mokheiber, who spoke at the general meeting of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva, said that the report was "biased and lacked in substance." Mokheiber added that the report does not hold Israel responsible for any of the alleged infractions of international law, even those that could be taken for war crimes, such as assaults on civilians and particularly assaults on protected civilians.

8. The Israeli Government also criticised the report saying the report makes no reference to the responsibility of Lebanon for acts of hostility prepared and perpetrated within its territory. They also complained that the report treated Hezbollah as a legitimate actor rather than what they see as terrorist organisation.

Commission of Inquiry completes mission

9. The three members of the Commission of Inquiry on Lebanon, João Clemente Baena Soares (Brazil), Mohamed Chande Othman (Tanzania) and Stelios Perrakis (Greece) concluded their mission in Lebanon on 7 October, and returned to Geneva. The Commission is currently preparing its report to the Human Rights Council.

10. The Commission was able to collect a considerable amount of data during the visit as well as a number of witness statements. The Commission will continue to gather further information relevant to its mandate.

11. The Commission of Inquiry on Lebanon is mandated by the Human Rights Council to investigate the systematic targeting and killing of civilians by Israel in Lebanon; examine the types of weapons used by Israel and their conformity with international law; and assess the extent and impact of Israeli attacks on human life, property, critical infrastructure and the environment.

Khiam Centre calls for tribunal on war crimes

12. The head of the Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for the Victims of Israeli Torture (KRC) urged the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday to create a tribunal to try Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the recent war on Lebanon. "Israel should compensate the Lebanese for the losses inflicted during the July offensive," Mohammad Safa said, speaking during the council's second session in Geneva. The Khiam Centre is located on the site of the infamous Khiam prison where Lebanese were detained and tortured during the occupation.

IRIN in Lebanon

13. The Regional Director of the ?UN's Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN), Abdel Rahamn Ghandourm, completed a 10-day mission to Lebanon to assess the humanitarian and post-conflict situation in the country, search for story ideas, meet with key partners and conduct political analysis. An IRIN film team arrived over the weekend to produce a 15-to-20 minute documentary on cluster sub-munitions and other UXOs in the country, and clearance of unexploded ordnance. IRIN has several writers in Lebanon. Its website is: www.irinnews.org

Lessons Learned Exercise

14. A half-day "After Action Review" was held 09 October, for members of the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in Lebanon and facilitated by OCHA. The "lessons learned" workshop provides UN agencies and NGOs an opportunity to explore: What went well and why; what can be done to improve performance, and what recommendations are needed for future missions? A final report, reflecting feedback from them will be ready by the middle of October. The office of the UN Resident Coordinator will seek separate feedback on lessons learned and the IASC response to the Lebanon crisis from the government and donors.

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