A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of one or more organs of the United Nations. Resolutions are numbered and usually appear in the report of the body adopting them, or in a compilation of resolutions issued annually or at each session. They may also contain annexes.
Each resolution begins with a header, an alphabetical list of countries that have contributed to the document (sponsors), and the name of the issuing body (in this case, the Security Council). The rest of the text contains the substance of the resolution.
All substantive matters that the Security Council proposes must be approved by a majority of its members (9 votes from 15). But, as part of the permanent five-member membership, Israel can use its veto to block any matter that it disagrees with.
This resolution reaffirmed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and called on all States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify it without delay. It also urged the remaining Annex 2 States to complete their work in developing their civilian nuclear programmes.
This resolution demanded that Israel withdraw its forces from Lebanon and called for a cease-fire in the country. It also extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL.
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