Beirut: The United Nations Security Council has formally decided to conclude the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, signaling the end of the longest-running peacekeeping operation in UN history. Established in 1978 to stabilize southern Lebanon amid persistent conflict, UNIFIL has been tasked with facilitating a safe transition to Lebanese sovereignty, with a one-year disengagement scheduled to begin on December 31, 2026. The decision, reached after two weeks of negotiations primarily led by the United States and France, aims to make the Lebanese government the sole guarantor of security in the country’s south.
Over the course of the transition, UNIFIL’s approximately 10,000 peacekeepers, currently under Italian leadership, will focus on safeguarding personnel while continuing limited support for civilians and humanitarian operations. The resolution also calls for Israel to withdraw south of the Blue Line, the de facto border, including five Israeli positions on Lebanese soil, though Israel has refrained from commenting on this directive. All 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution on August 28, though initial international reactions remain mixed, reflecting concerns about the potential vacuum left in a historically volatile region.
Experts suggest that the UNIFIL mission, while providing relative stability, has only partially achieved its objectives. Claudio Bertolotti, a research fellow at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), observes that Hezbollah has continued to maintain a military presence south of the Litani River, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of international intervention. At the same time, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun expressed gratitude for the extended timeline of the mission, highlighting the importance of a measured withdrawal rather than an abrupt exit.
The local Church, represented by Bishop César Essayan, Apostolic Vicar of Beirut, has voiced concern over the implications for southern Lebanon’s residents. “For the Lebanese, especially those in the south, the presence of UNIFIL is a source of reassurance,” Bishop Essayan told Vatican News. “These peacekeeping soldiers have helped calm tensions and protect civilians. Without them, the risk of exploitation and insecurity rises.” He added a note of hope, emphasizing the importance of a “dignified peace” that respects all parties involved.
International stakeholders, including France and the United States, appear committed to bolstering Lebanon directly in the wake of UNIFIL’s withdrawal. French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to convene two major conferences by year’s end to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and facilitate national recovery and reconstruction. Analysts suggest that strategic backing from global powers could mitigate risks, aiming to weaken militarized factions while reinforcing the Lebanese state’s sovereignty.
The UNIFIL conclusion signals both an end and a beginning: a shift from international peacekeeping to Lebanese self-governance, under the watchful eyes of global and regional partners. Bishop Essayan encapsulated the sentiment of hope and caution, noting, “If UNIFIL’s withdrawal means preparing for peace, that is good. But let it be a dignified peace not one based on erasing the other.” The coming year will test Lebanon’s ability to navigate this historic transition amid complex regional dynamics.