French Foreign Minister warns post-Unifil security vacuum in south Lebanon must be avoided

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has cautioned against the emergence of a "security vacuum" in southern Lebanon once the UN peacekeeping mission, Unifil, concludes its mandate at year-end. Accompanied by Alice Rufo, the French Armed Forces Minister, Barrot emphasized the necessity of a "new international framework" to bolster Lebanese security forces post-Unifil.

This warning follows meetings with Lebanese leaders, including President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who have expressed support for an international presence in the region if extending Unifil's mission proves unfeasible.

Barrot and Rufo engaged with senior officials, urging the bolstering of the underfunded and under-equipped Lebanese Armed Forces as they strive to consolidate state control over all weapons, particularly disarming Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group that has thus far resisted disarmament. The visit comes amid pressure from the US and Israel, who have advocated for the UN to terminate Unifil's mandate, citing the force's role in preventing conflicts along the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated border dividing southern Lebanon and Israel.

Israel maintains a military presence in approximately 65 towns and villages across southern Lebanon, operating within a security zone along the border since conflicts with Hezbollah erupted in early March. The European Union has announced an impending support mission for the Lebanese Armed Forces, set to last three years, focusing on enhancing the force's capabilities and maritime security. However, EU leaders have stressed that this mission does not intend to supplant Unifil.