Lebanon needs international force after peacekeepers leave, PM tells UN chief

Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged United Nations chief Antonio Guterres to establish a UN-backed international force in the country's south after the current UN peacekeeping mandate ends, according to a report. UNIFIL, which currently has around 7,500 troops from 46 nations, has served as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel since 1978.

However, due to US pressure, the UN Security Council decided last year to terminate UNIFIL's mandate at the end of this year. Salam emphasized the need for an international presence to maintain monitoring, reporting, and liaison functions, contribute to stability, and support the Lebanese state's authority over its territory, as reported by the premier's office.

Israel currently has troops in a self-declared security zone inside southern Lebanon and has launched airstrikes following a March attack by Hizbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also called for a new international force to prevent a security vacuum after UNIFIL departs, though extending UNIFIL's mandate remains the optimal option.