UN extends peacekeeping mandate in S Lebanon

1. Pan of Lebanese border, shows Israeli Mitulla settlement 2. United Nations peacekeepers patrolling the border 3. Close-up of UN soldier 4. UN patrol 5. Various of UN soldiers on foot patrol facing Shebaa farms area 6. Land mines opposite Shebaa farms on the Lebanese side of the border 7. UN headquarters in Ebl Saqui region of Southern Lebanon 8. UN flag 9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Amul Asthana, Indian UN Batallion commander: "UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) has been able to make a positive contribution to peace in fulfilling its mandate, it is mandated by the UN and supported by all quarters." 10. Cutaway of UN and Lebanese flag 11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Amul Asthana, Indian UN Batallion commander: "We welcome the extension and continue to work for the positive effect of the UN presence in the area and contribute to its continuing the peace process." 12. UN patrolling 13. Various of villagers coming to mobile clinic 14. UN nurses providing medicine to villagers 15. Villagers at mobile clinic 16. Various of UN vet administrating medicine to cow 17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Voxpop, Lebanese farmer: "The UN is doing a very good job for us. If we had to buy medicine and pay the cost of the doctors, we couldn't afford it and we would lose our cows. They are doing everything for free anytime, you call them at night, they come and supply us with medicine." 18. Close-up of UN peacekeeper on patrol STORYLINE: The United Nations (UN) Security Council has renewed the mandate of the UN's peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for another six months. The mission, which is reviewed every six months, has been in operation along the Israeli border in southern Lebanon since 1978. Resolution 1428, which was adopted unanimously, congratulated the Lebanese government for its progress in re-establishing its authority in the region, and enables UN peacekeepers to remain in southern Lebanon until January 31, 2003. The Security Council has also called on Secretary-General Kofi Annan to make way for necessary changes to the mission. This includes reducing the number of troops in the region by the end of the year - something Lebanon is against. Since the Israeli withdrawal from the area in May 2000, the UN estimates that the number of inhabitants has increased from 110 thousand to 140 thousand - much less than expected. Some three thousand members of Israel's now-disbanded proxy South Lebanon Army, housed temporarily in Israel after it evacuated from the region, have returned with their families without facing major problems. In the month following Israel's withdrawal, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was reinforced from 4,500 to 5,800 troops. Numbers were gradually reduced to the current level of 3,600 troops. This will further drop to two thousand by the end of the year. Eight countries currently contribute peacekeepers to the force and include troops from India, Ghana, the Ukrane, Fiji, Poland, France, Italy and Ireland. It also has 150 civilian administrative employees, most of whom live on the Israeli side of the so-called Blue Line. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/39e1ae36dcb70f4c92a355cda886bcb4 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork