Unifil

UNIFIL: Withdrawal or Extension? The Countdown Begins

Will UNIFIL’s presence in southern Lebanon be extended beyond August 31? The question is at the heart of diplomatic negotiations as the Security Council prepares to vote on August 25, while the mandate of the UN force expires at the end of the month. On Monday, the UN Security Council began debating a draft resolution presented by France to ...

Aoun Stresses Lebanon’s Commitment to Renewing UNIFIL's Mandate

A week ahead of U.N. talks on extending UNIFIL’s mandate, and with some Security Council members questioning the usefulness of renewing the peacekeepers’ mission, President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining the multinational force in the south “for as long as necessary” to fully implement UN Resolution ...

UN Debates Future Withdrawal of Lebanon Peacekeeping Force

The United Nations Security Council began to debate Monday a resolution drafted by France to extend the UN peacekeeping force in south Lebanon for a year with the ultimate aim to withdraw it. Israel and the United States have reportedly opposed the renewal of the force's mandate, and it was unclear if the draft text has backing from Washington, ...

Trump Administration Moves to Phase Out UNIFIL

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 ...

UNIFIL Uncovers Tunnel Network and Weapons in South Lebanon

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) forces have uncovered an extensive network of fortified tunnels near the towns of Tayr Harfa, Zebqine and Naqoura, UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti announced on Thursday. Tenenti said the network included “a number of bunkers, artillery pieces, multiple rocket launchers, as well as hundreds of ...

UN Peacekeeper Killed in 2022: Main Suspect Sentenced to Death in Absentia

The military court sentenced a man to death in absentia for killing an Irish United Nations peacekeeper, a judicial official said Tuesday, after Hezbollah members were accused of involvement in the 2022 incident. Private Sean Rooney, 23, was killed and three others were wounded after a UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) convoy came under fire ...

UNIFIL Mandate Shift Could Ignite Region: Will the US Push Back on Israeli Demands?

One month separates Lebanon from a critical juncture, one of the most sensitive in its modern history. At the end of August, the United Nations Security Council will decide whether to renew the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year. The decision could either reaffirm the mission’s role or mark its ...

Israeli Drone Strikes Car in Tebnine, Forces Advance Near Aitaroun

An Israeli drone launched two missiles on Tuesday at a vehicle in the Ain al-Mazrab area of Tebnine, South Lebanon, causing destruction. Later that night, an Israeli force, supported by three military vehicles including a bulldozer, advanced from a newly built position on Jabal al-Batt near the outskirts of Aitaroun. The force began excavation ...

Tom Barrack Says US Supports Lebanon Without Any Demands

In an exclusive interview with Tele Liban, US envoy Tom Barrack stressed that the United States has made “no demands” on Lebanon and is only offering assistance at the country’s request. “We came to help, not to dictate,” Barrack said, clarifying that Washington’s role is to support Lebanon in resolving internal and regional tensions, ...

European Union Reaffirms Strong Support for Lebanon and Encourages Key Reforms

The European Union and Member State Ambassadors met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on Thursday to confirm their strong support for Lebanon, especially in areas affected by conflict. According to a press release published by the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon, the EU and its Member States have so far provided more than 600 ...

How Effective Is UNIFIL?

With its mandate set to expire on August 31, 2025, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is once again facing scrutiny over its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission. Enlarged under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 in 2006 to prevent the presence of armed groups south of the Litani River, UNIFIL has struggled to enforce its ...