Lebanon president asks French FM for help preventing security vacuum in south

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday, expressing his support for any measures to avert a security vacuum in the south of the country should United Nations peacekeepers withdraw at the year's end. Barrot is currently in Lebanon for a two-day visit to explore international presence mechanisms in the conflict-ridden area, following the expiration of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Aoun reiterated Lebanon's desire to prolong UNIFIL's mandate, but added that the nation would accept any arrangement ensuring an international presence in the south, preventing a void, and avoiding direct confrontation between the Lebanese and Israeli armies. Israel maintains a presence in southern Lebanon following their recent clashes with Hezbollah, triggered by the group's rocket attacks in March.

The United Nations Security Council voted in August 2025 to terminate UNIFIL's mandate on December 31, 2026. France and Italy pledged in June to establish a multinational force to replace UNIFIL after its mandate ends. Before Barrot's arrival, the French foreign ministry pledged readiness to contribute to averting a security vacuum and supporting the Lebanese army's relocation to the south.

An agreement between Israel and Lebanon in June aims to disarm Hezbollah, gradually withdraw Israeli forces from occupied territories, and deploy the Lebanese army to the region in two pilot zones. Despite the deal, Israeli airstrikes have continued, and Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons. President Aoun emphasized Israel's non-compliance with the framework agreement's terms, stating that a Lebanese military delegation would join Israeli and US representatives in Tampa, Florida, on Tuesday to discuss Lebanon's demands for an end to Israeli escalation.

During their visit, the French delegation will hold meetings with Lebanese officials, including army chief Rodolphe Haykal, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Hezbollah-aligned Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.