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After nearly 5 decades, UN to draw down Lebanon peacekeeping force in 2027
The UN Security Council has unanimously extended a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon until the end of 2026 when the operation will then begin a yearlong “orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal”.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), established in 1978, monitors cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon, supports the Lebanese armed forces, facilitates humanitarian access, and helps ensure the area is free of unauthorised armed personnel, weapons and infrastructure.
In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the decision, thanking the council for the additional year and four months of operations.
He encouraged more international support for the Lebanese army after the drawdown and said that today’s council resolution called on Israel to withdraw from the five positions it still occupies in southern Lebanon.
Fallen Israeli drone explodes, kills two military personnel in southern Lebanon: Report
The Lebanese army’s media branch reports that two military personnel have been killed when a fallen Israeli drone they were inspecting exploded in the southern area of Naqoura, according to a statement cited by Lebanon’s National News Agency.
The victims include an officer and a soldier, and two other personnel were injured, the statement said.
Israel welcomes UN move to end UNIFIL’s mission in 2027
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, has responded to the UN decision by saying: “For a change, we have some good news coming from the UN.”
Israel has long been wary of UNIFIL, which was founded to oversee the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978 invasion.
Last year, Israeli forces repeatedly fired at UNIFIL headquarters and bases. Today, Israeli forces continue to occupy several positions in southern Lebanon in violation of a November ceasefire.
