Key facts
- A senior Lebanese security official met with the head of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil).
- The meeting focused on the security situation along Lebanon's southern border.
- Unifil's peacekeeping mandate is set to expire at the end of 2026.
- Unifil has been operating in the region for 48 years.
- The UN Security Council enhanced Unifil's mandate following the 2006 crisis.
A senior Lebanese security official met with the head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) on Thursday to discuss the security situation along the country's southern border. Unifil's mandate is scheduled to conclude at the end of 2026, marking 48 years of peacekeeping operations in the region. The force has faced criticism from both Israelis and Lebanese for perceived failures.
Despite intense violence in south Lebanon over the past four months, Unifil peacekeepers have maintained their positions and continued to deliver on their mandate. The force operates in a highly volatile environment with the constant possibility of escalation, adapting to rapidly evolving situations while remaining stationed across Lebanon and along its border.
Unifil's original mandate, established by the Security Council in March 1978, was to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its authority. This mandate has been adjusted twice since then. Following the July/August 2006 crisis, the Security Council enhanced Unifil's role to include monitoring the cessation of hostilities, supporting the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south, and facilitating humanitarian access and the return of displaced persons.
Major General Stefano Del Col, the current UNIFIL Force Commander and Head of Mission, has held initial meetings with top Lebanese officials, including President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri. He also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Gebran Bassil, the Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Joseph Aoun, and the Director of General Security, General Abbas Ibrahim. Discussions centered on Lebanon’s security and political climate, the implementation of Unifil's mandate under UN Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 2373, and cooperation between Unifil and the Lebanese Army.
Major General Del Col expressed gratitude for the Lebanese leadership's support, emphasizing its essential role in the mission's success. He noted that south Lebanon has benefited from twelve years of calm due to the joint efforts of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Unifil, stressing the importance of building on this momentum to preserve stability. He also highlighted the significance of Unifil's relationship with the local population, emphasizing respect for their traditions and cultural sensitivities.