UN peacekeepers prepare to exit Lebanon after 70 years – leaving behind a worrying security vacuum
In August, the UN Security Council voted to end the decades-long peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Blue helmets will leave by the end of the year.
For nearly seven decades, United Nations peacekeepers have been present in southern Lebanon, known as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). However, this presence may soon end, as the UN Security Council unanimously decided to terminate the mandate in August. This means that the 7,565 UNIFIL members, representing 46 countries, will leave Lebanon by December 31, 2026.
The departure of UNIFIL raises concerns over a potential security vacuum in the region, especially given the ongoing Israeli bombings and the lack of clear replacements or post-UNIFIL security arrangements.
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