Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed plans for a post-UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, as European countries express support for an international force to replace the United Nations peacekeepers.
Background of UNIFIL
Deployed in 1978 and significantly reinforced after the 2006 war under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has served as a stabilizing presence along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon. Its current mandate is expected to wind down by the end of 2026.
France’s Proposal
During a phone call, Macron indicated he would conduct outreach to determine other countries' stances on a replacement force. The Lebanese Presidency stated on social media: “President Macron indicated that he would conduct outreach to a number of countries to determine their stance on this step, especially since the deadline for UNIFIL’s withdrawal from Lebanon begins at the start of next year, 2027, necessitating the establishment of the necessary framework for any international participation.”
The post-UNIFIL French plan includes military options and an alternative delegation mechanism, calling for the creation of a force of between 2,000 and 5,500 personnel, in coordination with European partners.
European Contributions
European states — particularly Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Austria and Greece — are the backbone of UNIFIL, contributing thousands of peacekeepers. Their support will be crucial for any new mission.
Lebanese-Syrian Relations
The two presidents also addressed Lebanese-Syrian relations and ongoing coordination. Aoun commended Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa’s position affirming Syria’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. In an interview with Al-Mashhad TV, Al-Sharaa stressed that ending the current situation in Lebanon requires innovative approaches rather than traditional solutions. The Lebanese Presidency said: “Syria has no intention of intervening militarily in Lebanon, that any Syrian role would pass exclusively through the Lebanese state and not through other parties.”
