United Nations Security Council Resolution 678

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United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 was the legal authorization for the Gulf War which was passed by the Security Council by 12 votes to 2 (Cuba and Yemen against, China abstaining) on 29 November 1990.^[1] It gave Iraq one final opportunity to withdraw from Kuwait by 15 January 1991 and authorized members of the United Nations in cooperation with the Government of Kuwait to use "all necessary means to uphold and implement" United Nations Security Council Resolution 660,^[2] which was the resolution which demanded that Iraq withdraw its forces unconditionally to the positions in which they were located on 1 August 1990 (the day before they invaded Kuwait).^[3]

Security Council Resolution 678 (1990)

The Security Council ... Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, 1. Demands that Iraq comply fully with resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions, and decides, while maintaining all its decisions, to allow Iraq one final opportunity, as a pause of goodwill, to do so;

2. Authorizes Member States co-operating with the Government of Kuwait, unless Iraq on or before 15 January 1991 fully implements, as set forth in paragraph 1 above, the above-mentioned resolutions, to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area...

See Iraq disarmament crisis#Authority under international law.