G7 Ministers Seek Lebanon Security Plan as UNIFIL Mandate Ends

G7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris agreed on the necessity of avoiding a security void in Lebanon following the scheduled expiration of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate on December 31, 2026. The mandate's end follows a United Nations Security Council vote driven by pressure from the United States government.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, stated that no breakthrough has been reached regarding a replacement for the 7,500-person peacekeeping force. While the ministers backed the creation of a new security architecture to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, proposals vary. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested a civilian mission could replace the military presence, while some European officials proposed an international military coalition to disarm Hezbollah. Italy has expressed reluctance toward the coalition due to funding concerns.

The diplomatic discussions coincide with increasing instability on the ground. UNIFIL reported that one of its patrols came under fire near Wadi Jilu in southern Lebanon on Tuesday. The patrol returned fire after being targeted with approximately a dozen rounds, though no casualties were reported. This incident occurs as Israel continues to maintain a self-declared security zone inside Lebanese territory following attacks by Hezbollah.