Lebanese president calls for extending UNIFIL mandate in south

Aoun calls for UNIFIL extension

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday called for extending the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), saying the peacekeeping mission's presence remains essential for maintaining stability in the country's south and keeping residents in their villages. "The UNIFIL presence in the south is important in many respects, and helps keep residents in their villages and towns, and strengthens stability in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese army," Aoun said during a meeting with a parliamentary delegation, according to a presidency statement.

Alternative options amid Israeli opposition

Aoun said two options exist for ensuring international forces remain in southern Lebanon. He stated that Beirut's priority is securing continued stability through legal frameworks. "Our first option is to extend UNIFIL's mandate," he said. "If its mandate is not extended, the second option is to adopt a formula that ensures the continued presence of international forces in the south, within the required legal framework." The Lebanese president noted that Israel rejects UNIFIL's presence and "has been pressing in that direction for nearly a year." He added that Lebanon continues to demand the force stay.

Border violence and mission mandate

UNIFIL has maintained its deployment since 1978 to monitor the ceasefire along the Lebanese-Israeli border and support the Lebanese Armed Forces, with its current mandate set to expire on December 31, 2026. The call for extending the peacekeeping mission comes amid heightened tensions along the border since Israel launched deadly attacks on Lebanon on March 2, killing more than 4,300 people, injuring over 12,300 and displacing more than 1 million, according to official Lebanese figures.