UN considering options to maintain presence in Lebanon after peacekeeping mandate ends

The UN is considering options for maintaining a presence in Lebanon after the mandate of its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of the year, a senior UN official said Wednesday. UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix made the remarks during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace east of Beirut, according to a statement from the presidency. “There are options being considered regarding the continuation of the UN presence in Lebanon after the end of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),” said Lacroix. UNIFIL’s mandate is due to expire at the end of 2026. Lebanon has urged maintaining an international presence in the south, viewing it as an important element of stability. Lacroix said the situation on the ground in southern Lebanon remains “complex” amid continued military activity that has severely affected the civilian population. He said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had presented the Security Council with options for the future of the UN presence in Lebanon after UNIFIL, based on consultations with Lebanese authorities. Lacroix said Lebanon’s position should be taken into account during Security Council discussions, noting that the UN is aware of Beirut’s request to temporarily extend UNIFIL’s mandate. He said the UN’s objective is to support efforts to restore stability and Lebanon’s full sovereignty. For his part, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining UNIFIL’s presence, warning that the withdrawal could create a security vacuum amid continued Israeli attacks and Israel’s occupation of villages and towns in southern Lebanon. He said the presence of international forces remains particularly important under the circumstances, as most of the occupied areas are within UNIFIL’s area of operations. Aoun warned that a UNIFIL withdrawal would have negative consequences for the security situation and would also leave developments in the area without international monitoring. He expressed hope that the Security Council would respond to Lebanon’s request to maintain UNIFIL’s mission for another year. The president added that the army would continue to need the humanitarian and logistical services provided by UNIFIL if it takes over deployment in the areas concerned. UNIFIL has been deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978 under UN Security Council resolutions to monitor the cessation of hostilities and help maintain security and stability. Israel has carried out attacks on Lebanon, particularly in the south, since March 2, leaving more than 4,000 dead, 12,000 injured and over 1 million displaced, according to Lebanese authorities. The attacks have continued despite a June 26 framework agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of Hezbollah. Lacroix began a visit to Lebanon on Wednesday to discuss UNIFIL’s future and a possible extension of its mission. He also met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and army commander Rodolphe Haykal and was expected to meet Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. On Monday, the EU Council approved the establishment of a new three-year support mission in Lebanon aimed at strengthening the capabilities of the army and Internal Security Forces, and supporting the country’s sovereignty and stability.