Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Lebanon's Aoun backs UNIFIL mandate extension in Lebanon
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- Lebanese President calls UNIFIL vital for southern stability.
- Lebanon opposes 'Israeli' pressure to remove force.
- Beirut considers alternative framework if extension fails.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to retaining international peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, calling the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate the country's primary diplomatic path.
Speaking during a meeting with a parliamentary delegation, President Aoun emphasized the vital role played by international forces in sustaining regional calm.
He stated that UNIFIL’s deployment in southern towns is essential for assisting local residents to remain on their lands and reinforcing security in direct cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese Army.
According to the presidency statement, Aoun directly addressed contrasting international stances regarding the UN mission:
"The UNIFIL presence in the south is important in many respects, and helps keep residents in their villages and towns, and strengthens stability in cooperation and coordination with the Lebanese army," President Aoun stated. "Israel rejects UNIFIL's presence and has been pressing in that direction while we, meanwhile, continue to demand UNIFIL to stay."
Addressing potential roadblocks at the UN Security Council, President Aoun outlined contingency plans to guarantee that international security guarantees remain intact along the southern border.
The president affirmed that if a direct extension of UNIFIL’s existing mandate proves unattainable, Lebanon's immediate alternative is to adopt a formula that guarantees the continuous presence of international forces.
He stressed that any such alternative structure must incorporate Lebanon as an active participant alongside the Lebanese Army to safeguard national sovereignty and support regional peace.
