Lebanon Urges UN to Extend UNIFIL Peacekeeping Mandate
President Joseph Aoun and other Lebanese leaders requested a one-year extension of the UNIFIL mandate to prevent a security vacuum amid Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri urged the United Nations Security Council on October 14, 2026, to extend the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for one year. During meetings in Beirut with UN Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Lebanese officials argued that the scheduled expiration of the mandate on December 31, 2026, would create a dangerous security vacuum, especially as Israeli forces continue to occupy towns and villages in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL, comprising approximately 7,500 personnel, was slated for termination following pressure from the United States and Israel, who claimed the force failed to stop Hezbollah's military buildup. While the Security Council previously voted to end the mandate, Lacroix noted that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has presented several options for maintaining a UN presence. Lacroix emphasized that the positions of Lebanese authorities must be heard and considered during negotiations.
Alternative arrangements are being discussed as the region remains volatile following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hezbollah in March 2026. The European Union has proposed a three-year mission to train Lebanese security forces, while France and Italy have expressed interest in forming a multinational coalition to succeed the UN mission. A small unarmed observer force, UNTSO, is expected to remain in the region.
