Netherlands wants to extend UN peacekeepers’ mandate in Lebanon
The Netherlands supports extending the work of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after its mandate expires on December 31. Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma told The National (UAE) about this.
According to the minister, extending the mission is a priority for Lebanon’s stability. Sjoerdsma expressed hope that international negotiations and the Netherlands’ participation would help extend the mandate, while acknowledging the complexity of the process. He said he seeks to ensure UNIFIL’s presence after December 31 rather than consider scenarios following the mission’s end.
Mandate and possible withdrawal of forces
Last year, the UN Security Council, under US pressure, agreed to end the mandate of the peacekeeping mission that has operated in Lebanon for 47 years. A one-year withdrawal process is expected after the mandate expires. Options for the period after UNIFIL are currently being considered, including the possibility of deploying international forces.
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Israel has long accused UNIFIL of being unable to stop Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon. At the same time, observers fear that the withdrawal of peacekeepers could create a security vacuum: according to the publication, Israeli troops continue to occupy about 7% of Lebanon’s territory. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun also called for UNIFIL’s presence to be extended.
Criticism of Israel’s actions and UN assistance
Sjoerdsma criticized Israel’s continued presence in southern Lebanon and attacks by Israeli forces on civilians, journalists and humanitarian workers, saying they must stop. During the Dutch delegation’s visit to Nabatieh, a journalist from The National heard at least one loud explosion. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported an Israeli strike on Nabatieh el-Fawqa.
Several hours earlier, Israel had attacked areas around the Nabatieh district. The Israeli military described this as a response to Hezbollah launching a drone. The minister also announced a Dutch contribution of €500,000 to the UN Human Rights Office for evidence collection. UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978, when the mission was created after the first Israeli invasion of the country’s south.
