What's happened
The UN Security Council discussed the future of UNIFIL in Lebanon, as its mandate expires at the end of 2026. Lebanon's Prime Minister called for a follow-up force to fill the security vacuum, amid ongoing tensions and recent conflicts with Israel and Hezbollah.
What's behind the headline?
The upcoming termination of UNIFIL's mandate marks a critical juncture for Lebanon's security landscape. The UN Security Council's discussions reveal a recognition of the ongoing instability in the region, especially after the 2023 escalation involving Hezbollah and Israel. Lebanon's call for a follow-up force echoes historical reliance on international peacekeeping, but the proposal for a small, observer-like force suggests a shift towards a more limited, possibly more sustainable, presence. The debate over Lebanon's sovereignty versus international security commitments will intensify, with regional actors likely to influence the outcome. The decision will shape Lebanon's stability and regional security dynamics for years to come.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that the UN Security Council is actively discussing options for Lebanon's security post-2026, emphasizing the importance of a follow-up force. AP News highlights Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's call for a new peacekeeping arrangement, comparing it to the longstanding UN observer mission along Syria's border. The Independent notes the regional tensions, including recent Israeli airstrikes and Hezbollah's military activities, which underscore the urgency of a security solution. All sources agree that the future of UNIFIL is pivotal for regional stability, but differ on the scope and nature of the proposed follow-up force.
How we got here
UNIFIL has been deployed in southern Lebanon for nearly five decades, primarily to monitor the border and implement UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war. The force's mandate is set to end in 2026, prompting discussions on future security arrangements. Lebanon's government and military officials have expressed support for a continued international presence, while recent hostilities, including the 2023 Israel-Hezbollah conflict, have heightened security concerns.
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Common question
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What’s Next for UN Peacekeeping in Lebanon?
The future of UNIFIL in Lebanon is a hot topic as its current mandate approaches expiration at the end of 2026. With ongoing tensions, recent conflicts, and calls from Lebanon for a new peacekeeping force, many are wondering what this means for regional stability. In this page, we explore the key questions about the future of UN peacekeeping efforts in Lebanon and what they could mean for the broader Middle East.
More on these topics
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Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
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The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, is a UN-NATO peacekeeping mission established on 19 March 1978 by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426, to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon which Israel had invaded five day
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Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam is a Lebanese politician, diplomat, jurist and academic who is the prime minister-designate of Lebanon.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.