The United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday to extend the mandate of the peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) until December 31, 2026, while also indicating plans for a withdrawal in 2027.
The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, states that it “decides to extend for the last time the mandate of UNIFIL (…) until December 31, 2026, and to initiate an orderly and safe reduction and withdrawal beginning on that date, to be completed within one year.”
Council members had begun discussions last week on a draft resolution aimed at renewing the mandate for approximately 10,800 peacekeepers.
The text of the resolution proposes extending UNIFIL’s presence until August 31, 2026, while expressing the Council’s “intention to work toward the withdrawal of UNIFIL, with the aim of ensuring that only the Lebanese government maintains security in the southern part” of the country.
Last Tuesday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun advocated for the continuation of the peacekeepers, arguing that “any limitation of UNIFIL’s mandate (…) would negatively impact the situation, especially as Israel continues to occupy certain parts of Lebanese territory.”
The draft resolution calls for Zionist forces to “withdraw from the north of the Blue Line (the UN demarcation established in 2000), including five positions currently held in Lebanese territory.”
