The need for the United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL), which was established by a U.N. Security Council Resolution of 11 June 1958, was brought about by discord between the nation’s Muslims and Maronite Christians, which first began to show serious signs of strain when the Lebanese government essentially sided with the Anglo-French forces that invaded Egypt during the Suez Crisis of 1956.
Although the Observation groups had a mission to “ensure that there [was] no illegal infiltration of personnel or supply of arms or other matériel across the Lebanese borders,” the group’s mandate limited its action to observations alone. Still, the group hoped that its presence would at least deter the smuggling of weapons in and out of the conflict zone, and set about utilizing regular patrols of roads during daylight hours, erecting permanent observation posts to be manned by military observers, and conducting aerial reconnaissance missions.
Fortunately, both sides agreed to a compromise in relatively short order, with Lebanese President Camille Chamoun stepping down in September and allowing a moderate candidate to assume the office. UNOGIL was officially brought to an end on 9 December 1958.