The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) intends to remove the majority of its troops by mid-2027, according to a spokesperson who talked with AFP on Tuesday after the peacekeepers’ mandate ends this year.
UNIFIL has served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon for decades, and it is currently supporting the Lebanese army in dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure along the Israeli border following Israel’s recent conflict with the Iran-backed group.
Under pressure from the US and Israel, the UN Security Council voted last year to terminate the force’s mission on December 31, 2026, with an “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal” within a year.
Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel stated that “UNIFIL is planning to draw down and withdraw all, or substantially all, uniformed personnel by mid-year 2027,” completing the pullout by year’s end.
After UNIFIL operations cease on December 31 this year, she said, “We begin the process of sending UNIFIL personnel and equipment home and transferring our UN positions to the Lebanese authorities.” ”.
During the withdrawal, the force will only be authorized to conduct specific responsibilities, such as protecting UN troops and bases and ensuring a safe exit.
Despite a November 2024 truce that aimed to halt more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, Israel has continued to hit Lebanon on a regular basis, claiming to be targeting Hezbollah and maintaining forces in five border areas.
UNIFIL patrols near the border and monitors violations of the 2006 UN resolution that ended Israel’s war with Hezbollah and serves as the foundation for the present peace.
It has often reported Israeli shooting at or near its personnel since the cease-fire.
According to Ardiel, UNIFIL has cut the number of peacekeepers in south Lebanon by over 2,000 in recent months, “with a couple hundred more set to leave by May.”
The force today has approximately 7,500 peacekeepers from 48 countries.
She stated that the reduction was “a direct result” of a UN-wide financial crisis and the cost-cutting measures that all missions were forced to follow and had nothing to do with the termination of the force’s mandate.
Lebanese authorities desire a continuous foreign force presence in the south after UNIFIL departs, even if the number is restricted, and have urged European countries to stay.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated in Beirut last month that Lebanon’s army should take over the force once the peacekeepers leave.
Italy has stated that it plans to maintain a military presence in Lebanon once UNIFIL leaves.
