Joseph Aoun Welcomes France and Italy Plan for Post-UNIFIL Coalition in Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed French and Italian efforts to form a multinational coalition to replace UNIFIL after its mandate ends at the end of this year, with the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon consisting of about 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries.

“Lebanese president welcomes French-Italian initiative for post-UNIFIL international coalition Joseph Aoun says proposal reflects international commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and backs Lebanese Army's role in securing south Mohammad Sio 26 June 2026•Update: 26 June 2026 İSTANBUL Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed Friday a joint French-Italian initiative to establish an international coalition for the period following the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), calling it a strong expression of international support for Lebanon's sovereignty and stability”

Anadolu Ajansı

Aoun said the initiative was “a sincere expression of international commitment to support Lebanon's sovereignty and stability,” as France and Italy sought a post-UNIFIL arrangement coordinated with the European Union and the United Nations.

Anadolu Ajansı

French President Emmanuel Macron said the two countries “want to launch a coalition for a post-UNIFIL arrangement, in coordination with the European Union and the United Nations,” to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and armed forces and prevent Lebanese territory from becoming “a foothold for regional escalation.”

The sources also tied the push to UN Security Council action, with Last August’s decision to end UNIFIL’s mandate on December 31, 2026 and a mandate that has been in service since 1978.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said peacekeepers would be needed in Lebanon after the current mission mandate ends, a proposal described as likely to face opposition from the United States and Israel.

Aoun’s remarks came after meetings in which Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the initiative, with the Lebanese presidency describing the plan as recognition of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in maintaining security and extending state authority across the country’s territory, particularly along the southern border.

The Lebanese presidency said Aoun welcomed the French-Italian initiative as “a sincere expression of the international community's commitment to supporting Lebanon's sovereignty and stability,” and as genuine appreciation for the Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in southern border areas.

Apa.az

In Antibes, Macron and Meloni said they wanted to launch a coalition in coordination with the EU and UN to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and armed forces, while Meloni said the effort could ultimately lead to an international conference.

The proposal was also linked to a Security Council resolution adopted unanimously in August 2025, which extended UNIFIL’s deployment for a final time until December 31, 2026 and set out a one-year timetable for a gradual, coordinated and safe drawdown and withdrawal.

The Middle East Online account described the French-Italian proposal as a coordination mechanism involving the UN and the EU aimed at ensuring continued monitoring of the security situation in southern Lebanon while providing sustained support for the Lebanese army.

The sources framed the post-UNIFIL transition around preventing a security vacuum, with Aoun welcoming the joint French-Italian insistence on avoiding a gap after UNIFIL’s departure and aligning with Lebanon’s position that the Lebanese army is “the only genuine and real guarantee” for security in the south.

“PARIS, June 26 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- France and Italy have agreed to establish a multinational coalition to support Lebanon after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends its mission in December, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, Xinhua reported”

bernama

Aoun also stressed Lebanon’s desire for “any international formula that strengthens the capabilities of its armed forces, preserves its territorial integrity,” and prevents Lebanon from becoming “an arena of escalation or regional tensions.”

At the same time, the Anadolu Ajansı account said Macron and Meloni’s push was aimed at strengthening Lebanon’s sovereignty against the risk of regional escalation, and it noted Meloni’s view that the effort could lead to an international conference.

Naharnet reported that UNIFIL’s presence had not prevented repeated outbreaks of conflict, and it said the UN Security Council decided to end UNIFIL’s mandate on December 31, 2026 under U.S. pressure.

The VOI.ID account added that Guterres proposed three options ranging from nearly 2,000 to more than 5,500 UN personnel to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah and support the Lebanese armed forces, with the proposal likely to face opposition from the United States and Israel.