UN approves withdrawal from Lebanon’s peaceful forces in 2027

“We ask the international community to take advantage of next year to strengthen the Lebanese military,” said United States Interim Ambassador Dorothy Shea, noting that UniFil’s “I” means “interim”.

Approximately 10,800 blue helmets have acted as intermediaries between Israel and Lebanon since March 1978.

But the usual renewal of his mandate, which expires on Sunday, faced this year the hostility of Israel and his American ally, who ask for his withdrawal.

With the support of Beirut, France, responsible for this theme on the Security Council, initially considered a one -year extension, claiming the “intention” of moving forward with the withdrawal of UniFil.

But given the risk of an American veto, after several versions and a postponement of the vote, the resolution unanimously approved on Thursday clearly establishes the end of the mission in 16 months.

The board “decides to extend the mandate of Unifil for the last time (…) until December 31, 2026 and start a reduction and withdrawal ordered and safe from December 31, 2026 and within one year.”