UN Chief Proposes Extending Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is advocating for the continuation of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, as its current mandate is set to expire on December 31, 2026. In a report submitted to the UN Security Council, Guterres outlined three potential scenarios for the mission's future, each involving a presence of between 2,000 and 5,500 peacekeepers.

These forces would be tasked with supporting the Lebanese army and overseeing the fragile ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. The report emphasizes the necessity of a uniformed UN presence to foster de-escalation, dialogue, and coordination. "Under all proposed solutions, a uniformed UN presence working to promote de-escalation of tensions, dialogue, contact and coordination as well as support to the Lebanese Armed Forces will be necessary," the report states.

This proposal comes after the UN Security Council's August 2025 extension of UNIFIL's mandate until the end of 2026, which was explicitly stated to be the final extension. The original plan had anticipated an "orderly and secure drawdown and withdrawal" of the force by 2027. The UN's presence in Lebanon dates back to 1978.

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Under all proposed solutions, a uniformed UN presence working to promote de-escalation of tensions, dialogue, contact and coordination as well as support to the Lebanese Armed Forces will be necessary.