UN Urges Talks on Lebanon Peacekeeping Mandate

UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix has urged the Security Council to begin negotiations soon on UNIFIL’s future, as Lebanon seeks to extend the mission beyond its scheduled end-of-2026 mandate and 2027 drawdown. President Joseph Aoun says the force remains necessary to monitor hostilities, support communities and prevent a security vacuum while Israeli forces remain in southern Lebanon and Lebanese troops prepare to assume border responsibilities. UNIFIL has about 7,500 peacekeepers at roughly 50 positions, but the handover of posts in Israeli-occupied areas could be difficult. The United States has opposed extending the mission, while Israel has criticized UNIFIL for failing to prevent Hezbollah from building military infrastructure near the border.