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) ends. This came during his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace in eastern Beirut, where he stressed that the ground situation in southern Lebanon remains complex due to ongoing military activities and their severe impact on the population.
Presenting options to the Security Council
Lacroix clarified that UN Secretary-General António Guterres presented the Security Council with several options regarding the future of the UN presence, based on information the international organization received from Lebanese authorities. He emphasized the importance of taking Lebanon's position into account during upcoming discussions, noting that the organization is aware of the message requesting a temporary extension of the mandate.
Official visit and bilateral talks
The UN official began an official visit of unspecified duration to Lebanon, where he will meet with Lebanese officials to discuss the future of UNIFIL and the extension of its mission. Lacroix is scheduled to meet with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, amid the organization's reaffirmation of its support for efforts to restore stability and regain full Lebanese sovereignty.
Regional and international context
In the same context, the European Union Council adopted a decision to establish a new support mission in Lebanon for an initial period of three years to enhance the capabilities of the army and internal security forces. UNIFIL's mandate ends at the end of the current year 2026, while discussions focus on avoiding a security vacuum in the south after the current mandate expires.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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