Lebanon and Allies Seek Security Force to Replace UNIFIL

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, French President Emmanuel Macron, and King Abdullah II of Jordan convened in Paris on September 17 to address a looming security vacuum in southern Lebanon. The meetings, held under the Jordan-led Aqaba Process, focused on bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate expires on December 31, 2026.

With the United States and Israel signaling they will not support a UN mandate extension, France and Italy are leading efforts to establish a new international or European Union-led mission. This proposed force would focus on training, intelligence sharing, and equipment to help the LAF maintain a state monopoly on weapons. President Aoun stated that while extending UNIFIL remains the optimal option, any international force—including American or Arab components—would be acceptable as a temporary measure.

These diplomatic efforts coincide with stalled U.S.-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon regarding a June framework deal. While the Lebanese government has committed to disarming Hezbollah, the Israel Defense Forces maintain that the LAF must significantly improve its effectiveness before an Israeli troop withdrawal can occur. In Washington, Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors met on September 16 to discuss the framework, though diplomats suggest a breakthrough is unlikely due to upcoming elections in both the U.S. and Israel.

Parallel to the security talks, France and Jordan signed a defense cooperation agreement. Macron and Aoun also discussed ending Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and resuming oil and gas exploration in Lebanese blocks.