Future of peacekeeping forces in Lebanon on President's agenda in talks with Meloni

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday, focusing on the future of peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. The discussions took place during Aoun's two-day visit to Rome. The president also met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who primarily serves an institutional and constitutional role.

Aoun thanked Meloni for Italy's support in various aspects of Lebanon. They discussed the security situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south, due to ongoing Israeli attacks. The talks emphasized the importance of pressuring Israel to comply with the framework agreement reached during the Lebanese-American-Israeli negotiations in Washington.

The President's discussions also covered Italy's role in consolidating security and stability in the south and the period following the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mandate's end. Lebanese Ambassador to Italy Carla Jazaar joined the meetings.

On Thursday, Aoun met with Pope Leo XIV, expressing gratitude for the Pope's efforts to support Lebanon in seeking an end to the Israeli occupation and attacks on its territory. Aoun called on the Pope to continue supporting Lebanon's demands and urged the Vatican to maintain diplomatic efforts in international forums to secure them.

Lebanon and Israel have been engaged in seven rounds of direct talks, a first in decades, focusing on creating "pilot zones" where Israeli forces would withdraw, the Lebanese army would assume control, and Hezbollah would disarm. Only two pilot zones have seen Israeli withdrawal so far.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) has been operating in Lebanon's southern border since 1978, with its mandate set to expire in December 2026. Italy and France, along with NATO-backed European countries, plan to establish a new force to take over Unifil's role. The US and Israel oppose this plan, proposing a US-led force instead.

Aoun aims to push for a force working alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in southern Lebanon. Unifil's mandate is to monitor hostilities, support the deployment of the LAF, establish a weapon-free area between the Blue Line and the Litani River, and assist with humanitarian access and UN personnel security. The UN force's mandate was renewed in 2025, with a scheduled end and withdrawal throughout 2027.

The decision reflects a push, especially from the US, to end what Washington views as an open-ended peacekeeping mission and have Lebanon assume sole responsibility for security in the south.