Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix announced on Wednesday that options are being considered to ensure the continuation of the UN presence in Lebanon after the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expires. This came during his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in eastern Beirut, where the UN official discussed the future of the mission with Lebanese authorities.
Lacroix clarified that UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented the Security Council with several options regarding the future of the UN presence, based on what the international organization has heard from Lebanese authorities. He stressed that any step in this regard must contribute to enhancing security in the region, noting that the organization's goal is to support efforts aimed at restoring stability and regaining full Lebanese sovereignty.
For his part, the European Council adopted a decision on Monday to establish a new support mission in Lebanon for an initial period of three years, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the army and internal security forces. High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas emphasized the necessity of avoiding a security vacuum in the south after UNIFIL's mandate ends at the end of the current year, 2026.
UNIFIL has been deployed since 1978 under resolutions issued by the Security Council to monitor the ceasefire and assist in maintaining security and stability in the region. Lebanon insists on the continuation of its presence, considering it one of the elements of stability in the south, while the UN official is exploring security and field arrangements related to its role in southern Lebanon and the post-mandate phase.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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