Lebanon proposes replacing UNIFIL with smaller multinational force
Lebanon is approaching members of the UN Security Council with a proposal to create a multinational force to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate in the country’s south is due to expire at the end of the year. Two Western diplomats told The Jerusalem Post this.
UNIFIL currently serves as a buffer force between Israel and Lebanon. After its mandate ends, a significant part of the responsibility for security and maintaining stability in southern Lebanon is expected to pass to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Beirut’s proposal
According to the publication, Lebanese authorities proposed a compromise option after learning of the U.S. administration’s position against extending UNIFIL’s mandate. This would not involve preserving the current mission, but rather a smaller force similar to UNIFIL that would remain in southern Lebanon and perform a buffer function between Israel and Lebanon.
Lebanese officials told senior U.S. officials that some force must remain in an area which, according to them, is under Israeli control. The United States has not yet agreed to the proposal, but discussions are ongoing over the possible mandate and size of such a force, two Western diplomats said.
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France’s and Israel’s positions
France is seeking a temporary extension of UNIFIL’s mandate to avoid a vacuum and ensure a smooth transition to the next format, a French official said. At the same time, Washington currently opposes extending the mission’s work.
A decision on the future format of the presence must be made by November. Israel opposes the continued presence of an armed multinational force south of the Litani River. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said that, in Israel’s view, UNIFIL’s presence makes it easier for Hezbollah militants to return to certain positions. He also said that Israel wants to coordinate with the Lebanese Armed Forces and expects independence from them not only in statements but also in actions.
UNIFIL has operated since 1978 under UN Security Council resolutions. Its main task is to assist the Lebanese army in ensuring that the territory south of the Litani River remains free of weapons and armed personnel in accordance with Resolution 1701, which ended the Second Lebanon War.
