UNITED NATIONS – Recommending a six-month extension of the United Nations peace-monitoring force's mandate in the so-called Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon, Secretary-General Kofi Annan says that even during a period of relative calm, recent incidents of violence demonstrate once more that the situation remains "volatile and fragile."

"I believe that the present situation in Lebanon and the wider region does not support a change in the UNIFIL [UN Interim Force in Lebanon] mandate or another reconfiguration in the Force at this stage," he says in his latest periodic report to the Security Council, which recommends extending the mission until 31 January 2006.

He also called on UN Member States to pay the arrears for the mission, an amount totalling $54.4 million.

Mr. Annan says that during the past six months – "a period characterized by political uncertainty in Lebanon" – the country's south enjoyed a relative calm. Yet hostilities at the Blue Line in May, and the exchange of fire between the Hezbollah militia and Israel in the Shab'a farms area on 29 June, demonstrate that the situation remains volatile and fragile with a potential for deteriorating at any time.

Since the assassination of former Prime Minster Rafik Hariri last February, Mr. Annan says that Lebanon has undergone a period of increased political instability, manifested by the large-scale demonstrations in the capital, the resignation of the Government, several bomb attacks in various areas of Beirut and, most recently the attack on the envoy of Defence Minister Elias Murr.

Though the subsequent withdrawal of Syrian forces in April made it possible to hold free and fair elections over a four week period in May and June, the Lebanese armed forces now have to show they can maintain effective security throughout the country at a time when the size of the Lebanese army is being significantly reduced, he adds.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call on all the parties to abide by their obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions and to exercise utmost restraint to contribute to stability in the wider region. He also emphasizes the pressing need for the Lebanese Government to exert control over the use of force throughout its entire territory and to prevent attacks from Lebanon across the Blue Line.