Lebanese president welcomes French-Italian post-UNIFIL coalition plan

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed Friday a joint French-Italian initiative to establish an international coalition for the period following the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), calling it a strong expression of international support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability. In a statement released by the Lebanese presidency, Aoun welcomed Thursday’s announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on efforts to form a post-UNIFIL mechanism.

Recognition of Lebanese Army

The president described the initiative as “a sincere expression of the international community’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability,” as well as recognition of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in maintaining security and extending state authority, particularly in southern border areas. He praised the joint French-Italian emphasis on avoiding a security vacuum after UNIFIL, saying the approach aligns with Lebanon’s position that the Lebanese Army is “the only genuine guarantee” for security in the south.

Coordination and regional stability

Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s readiness to coordinate with international partners in ways that serve the interests of the Lebanese people and reinforce regional stability. On Thursday, Macron and Meloni held talks in Antibes resulting in a joint initiative on Lebanon. Macron said Paris and Rome want to launch a coalition, in coordination with the EU and UN, to help define a mechanism for the post-UNIFIL period and strengthen Lebanese sovereignty.