Lebanon seeks UN-backed replacement for UNIFIL as US opposes mandate extension

Lebanon is urging the UN Security Council to replace UNIFIL with a smaller multinational force before its mandate expires at year-end, as the US opposes extension. France advocates a temporary extension to prevent a security vacuum, while Israel rejects any armed UN presence south of the Litani River, favoring the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume border security.

Lebanon is pressing the UN Security Council to establish a smaller multinational force to replace UNIFIL, whose mandate expires at the end of the year. Two Western diplomats told the Jerusalem Post that the Lebanese government is proposing a 'UNIFIL-like force' significantly smaller than the current deployment, to serve as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. The US opposes extending UNIFIL's mandate, leading Beirut to propose this compromise. France is pushing for a temporary extension to avoid a security vacuum, but Washington remains opposed. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon stated that Israel opposes any armed UN presence south of the Litani River, arguing that UNIFIL's presence enables Hezbollah to operate under its cover. Israel prefers the Lebanese Armed Forces to take over border security, similar to coordination with Egypt and Jordan. A decision must be reached by November.