{
  "id": 1747177,
  "title": "Talks to be held in Rome this week on future of UN forces",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/talks-to-be-held-in-rome-this-week-on-future-of-un-forces",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T16:29:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2026/0818/1588404-unifil-talks/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will journey to Rome this week for discussions centered around the future of UN peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon, with the mandate of the current force set to expire this year. The visit, held on Thursday, follows a June announcement by Italy and France that they intend to establish a multinational coalition to replace the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Both nations possess significant contingents within UNIFIL.\n\nAoun is set to confer with Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, focusing on the future of international forces, especially in the wake of the French-Italian proposal to establish a successor to UNIFIL. The Lebanese President will also meet with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where he will share insights on Lebanon's ongoing negotiations with Israel.\n\nEarlier this year, Lebanon and Israel initiated direct talks, prompted by militant group Hezbollah's March attack on Israel, which in turn led to airstrikes and a ground invasion. Rome has served as the venue for the last two rounds of negotiations. Aoun has indicated that Lebanon's top preference is an extension of UNIFIL's mandate, a stance opposed by Israel.\n\nYesterday, Aoun suggested that the second-best option is a formula that ensures the continued presence of international forces in southern Lebanon alongside the Lebanese army, with coordination between the two. A framework agreement reached in June between Israel and Lebanon aims for Hezbollah's disarmament, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army in the region, beginning with pilot zones.\n\nDespite a recent lull in hostilities, Israel has maintained sporadic strikes and heavy demolitions in southern Lebanon, where its forces operate in a strip around 10 kilometers deep into Lebanese territory. Lebanon and several other countries are concerned about the security vacuum if UNIFIL exits without an alternative in place.\n\nA UN report from June stated that peacekeepers would be required post-UNIFIL, presenting three options, ranging from approximately 2,000 to over 5,500 UN personnel. In the past month, 86 Lebanese politicians signed a letter urging the Security Council to maintain peacekeepers. UNIFIL, currently comprising around 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries, has been present since 1978, though its presence has not deterred repeated conflict outbreaks.\n\nIn May, 344 Irish peacekeepers joined UNIFIL, marking the end of their 50-year-long mission. The deployment of the 128th Infantry Battalion signaled the conclusion of this extended phase. Efforts are underway to keep Irish peacekeepers engaged in the region, though the specifics remain to be determined.",
  "summary": "Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will travel to Rome this week for talks focusing on the future of the United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon.",
  "key_points": [
    "Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss UN peacekeeping future in Rome.",
    "Italy and France propose multinational coalition to replace UNIFIL.",
    "Aoun prefers UNIFIL extension over multinational force."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}