French civil servant and diplomat, UN peacekeeping chief
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to have its mandate end on December 31, 2026, with a drawdown to follow in 2027. Lebanese officials are pressing for a one-year extension, arguing the presence is crucial amid ongoing exchanges with Israel and Hezbollah. Jean-Pierre Lacroix has met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and UN officials to discuss this position, while European and regional actors weigh options for a successor arrangement.