S/2016/513 United Nations Security Council Distr.: General 3 June 2016 Original: English Letter dated 3 June 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council I am writing in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations to report to the Security Council that the Government of Norway is taking necessary and proportionate measures against the terrorist organization Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) in Syria in the exercise of the right of collective self-defence. The Security Council recognized in its resolution 2249 (2015) that ISIL constituted a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security and called upon Member States to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed by ISIL and to eradicate the safe haven that ISIL had established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria. The Council reiterated that call in its resolution 2254 (2015). In that respect, the Council noted the letters dated 25 June 2014 ( S/2014/440) and 20 September 2014 (S/2014/691) from the Iraqi authorities stating that ISIL had established a safe haven outside Iraqi borders in Syria that was a direct threat to the security of the Iraqi people and territory. The Government of Iraq requested the United States to lead international efforts to strike ISIL sites and military strongholds. Pursuant to that request, the Government of Norway is taking measures against ISIL in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The measures are directed against ISIL, not against the Arab Republic of Syria. I kindly request that you circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council. (Signed) Geir O. Pedersen Ambassador Permanent Representative 16-09107 (E) 060616 *1609107*