Lebanon seeks UN-backed replacement for UNIFIL as US opposes mandate extension
UNIFIL’s mandate in southern Lebanon is expected to expire at the end of the year under a UN Security Council resolution, after years of operating to monitor the implementation of Resolution 1701.
Lebanon is urging the United Nations Security Council to replace the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with an alternative multinational force, as the current mandate of UNIFIL is set to expire at the end of the year. UNIFIL, established in 1978, is tasked with maintaining stability in southern Lebanon and preventing weapons from entering the region, per Security Council Resolution 1701.
Washington opposes extending UNIFIL's mandate, citing concerns that armed UN forces enable Hezbollah to operate freely. The Lebanese government is proposing a smaller, UNIFIL-like force under Israeli control to ensure security, as the US remains hesitant to extend the mandate. Israel opposes the presence of any armed force south of the Litani River, fearing that it could aid Hezbollah. Discussions are ongoing to determine the mandate and size of a potential new force.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
