The future of U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon has become a point of tension between the United States and its European allies, raising implications for regional security. UNIFIL’s mandate, which expires at the end of August, requires renewal by the U.N. Security Council.
According to an ABC News article published on August 17, Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved a plan to wind down UNIFIL within six months, according to administration officials and congressional aides. Trump administration officials have aimed to end UNIFIL, viewing the operation as “an ineffectual waste of money” that delays restoring full security control to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
As stated in the article, European countries, particularly France and Italy, pushed back, lobbying for a one-year extension followed by a six-month wind-down. They argued that ending UNIFIL prematurely could create a security vacuum Hezbollah could exploit.
The article further states that with US support easing, the focus now shifts to European resistance over setting a firm withdrawal deadline. Even if renewed, UNIFIL could face a reduced footprint due to budget constraints, though technological enhancements might maintain its monitoring capabilities.
“There are about 10,000 peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese army has around 6,000 soldiers, a number that is supposed to increase to 10,000,” the ABC News article notes, highlighting US concern over Lebanon’s readiness to fully secure the border.
The U.N. insists the mission remains essential to regional security. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti said the force is “waiting for the final decision” of the Security Council.
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