Lebanese President Aoun Urges Maintenance of UNIFIL Peacekeeping Mission

Joseph Aoun, President of Lebanon, has reaffirmed the country's commitment to maintaining the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the deployment of the Lebanese army to the border.

Local residents in southern Lebanon have expressed growing concern over the mission's future, as the current mandate expires on December 31, 2026. While the UN Security Council extended the mandate through the end of the year, ongoing debates regarding the long-term presence of the force threaten regional security and social stability. The mission currently consists of approximately 10,500 peacekeepers who provide border monitoring, demining, and medical services.

The situation is further complicated by UN budget reductions that have already resulted in the departure of over 1,800 peacekeepers since November 2025. Communities such as Marjeyoun, where strong social ties exist between residents and the international force, fear that a withdrawal would damage the local economy and undermine security along the border.