UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan recommends on Wednesday to extend the mandate of the UN peace-monitoring force in Lebanon for a further period of six months.

    "In the light of the conditions prevailing in the area, I support the extension and recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) until Jan. 31, 2006 with no changes to the strength and composition of the Force," he says in his periodic report to the UN Security Council.

    Annan said a fragile quiet prevailed in the UNIFIL area of operation during most of the period under review, although the situation was often marked by tension.

    "Violations of the Blue Line continued throughout the past six months, most often in the form of recurring air violations by Israeli jets, helicopters and drones as well as ground violations, from the Lebanese side, primarily by Lebanese shepherds," he noted.

    Annan encouraged the parties to do their utmost to avoid all violations of the Blue Line and to promote calm.

    "To that end, I reiterate my call on all the parties to abide by their obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions and to exercise utmost restraint in order to contribute to stability in the wider region," he said.

    UNIFIL was established in 1978 to confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, restore peace and help the Lebanese Government restore its authority over the area. Enditem