Israel rejects push to keep international troops in south Lebanon after Unifil exit
Israel’s UN envoy said on Tuesday his country opposes efforts to maintain a large international military presence in southern Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate ends, arguing Lebanese forces should assume responsibility for securing the border. “Our position is very clear. We think that the decision that was passed in the Security Council on Unifil finishing its mandate by the…
Israel's UN envoy, Danny Danon, has stated that his country opposes the idea of maintaining a large international military presence in southern Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mission Unifil's mandate ends on December 31. Danon argued that Lebanese forces should take responsibility for securing the border. He expressed surprise at the proposal for thousands of troops to remain in Lebanon, noting that Unifil's chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, had suggested leaving only a few hundred observers.
Danon emphasized that it would be in Lebanon's best interest to move on and not continue to bring in foreign forces. Israel has previously accused Unifil of failing to help disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, a claim supported by the US administration. Despite ongoing discussions, Israel remains committed to working with Lebanon to address security concerns along their shared border.
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