After nearly five decades, the UN’s peacekeeping force in Lebanon is finally winding down! What does this mean for stability in the region and Lebanon’s role in its own security? The UN Security Council made a historic decision, shaping the future of a critical Middle Eastern border. Will this move foster new peace or ignite fresh challenges?
The United Nations Security Council has cast a unanimous vote to conclude its nearly five-decade-long peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon by the end of 2026, marking a significant shift in regional dynamics. This pivotal decision, influenced by sustained demands from the United States and its close ally Israel, paves the way for a new era of security responsibility for the Lebanese government along its border with Israel.
Known as UNIFIL, the multinational force was established in 1978 following Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon, with its mandate later expanded after the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. For decades, UNIFIL has played a crucial role in monitoring the volatile security situation, acting as a buffer and contributing to a delicate stability in a region often fraught with tension.
The U.S., a key proponent of the withdrawal, initially sought a shorter extension before agreeing to a final 16-month mandate for the mission. This move signals a broader U.S. strategy to redefine international peacekeeping commitments, particularly in areas where Washington believes local governments should assume greater autonomy and responsibility for their national security.
Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN emphasized the dramatically altered security landscape in Lebanon compared to just a year prior. This evolution, according to the U.S. perspective, creates an opportune environment for Lebanon to step up and take full ownership of its security apparatus, particularly in the strategically vital southern region.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, while welcoming the mandate extension until December 2026, expressed gratitude to “all friendly countries” on the Security Council for acknowledging Lebanon’s sovereign concerns. This sentiment underscores Lebanon’s long-term aspiration to assert full control over its territory and diminish reliance on external forces for its internal stability.
The French-sponsored UN resolution outlines a detailed withdrawal plan, granting UNIFIL a year from December 31, 2026, to remove its 10,800 military and civilian personnel and all equipment. During this transition, UNIFIL will conduct limited activities, with the ultimate objective of empowering the Lebanese government to become the sole provider of Lebanon security north of the Israel-Lebanon border, known as the Blue Line.
However, the resolution’s rapid timeline sparked reservations from several European nations, including France and Italy. These countries voiced concerns that an expedited conclusion of the peacekeeping mission before the Lebanese army is fully equipped and deployed could inadvertently create a security vacuum, potentially destabilizing the sensitive border region once again.
France’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Jay Dharmadhikari, highlighted that the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in November has indeed set Lebanon on a trajectory towards regaining complete sovereignty and fostering regional stability. He stressed that while the UNIFIL withdrawal is planned, its remaining mandate until 2026 provides invaluable time for collaborative efforts with the burgeoning capabilities of the Lebanese army, aiming to extend governmental authority across all Lebanese territory.
The United States affirmed its commitment to continue working with and bolstering the capabilities of the Lebanese armed forces. This ongoing support is crucial as Lebanon undertakes the critical task of disarming Hezbollah, a key element in solidifying the nation’s control over its security and ensuring enduring peace within its borders and along the international boundary.
