Guterres proposes that the Blue Helmets remain in Lebanon beyond 2026. He presents three scenarios for a smaller but still crucial UNIFIL presence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres considers it essential that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) continues to operate in the country even after its mandate expires at the end of 2026. This follows from a report addressed to the UN Security Council, which was accessed by the AFP news agency, TASR reported.
- António Guterres calls for the continued presence of UNIFIL troops in Lebanon beyond 2026.
- The proposed scenarios count on the deployment of two thousand to five thousand peacekeepers.
- Uniformed UN units are supposed to ensure de-escalation of tensions and support of the Lebanese army.
- Currently, approximately seven thousand five hundred soldiers from 47 countries are working in the UNIFIL mission.
- Lebanon sees the retention of UN forces as crucial, but is considering a smaller contingent.
According to the document, Guterres presents three possible scenarios for the future presence of UNIFIL. In each of them, between 2,000 and 5,000 Blue Helmets would oversee the observance of the ceasefire and support the Lebanese Armed Forces. The report emphasizes that, in all variants, uniformed UN troops would have to remain deployed to ensure de-escalation of tensions, mediate dialogue and coordination, and at the same time support the Lebanese army in order to achieve a long-term solution to the conflict.
Possible scenarios
Approximately 7,500 soldiers from 47 countries are currently serving in UNIFIL missions. Their units are located in the south of Lebanon near the so-called The Blue Line – the approximately 120 kilometer long unofficial demarcation line separating Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights.
The UN mission there has been creating a buffer zone between Lebanon and Israel since 1978, yet it has not been able to prevent repeated armed clashes. At the same time, AFP reminds that Israel and Lebanon are currently conducting direct negotiations aimed at ending long-term territorial and security disputes.
The future of the mission
A Lebanese official, who did not want to be named, told AFP that after UNIFIL’s current mandate ends on December 31, Beirut would like to maintain an international presence in the country under UN auspices.
Another Lebanese official described the presence of UN forces on the territory of Lebanon as crucial. He added, however, that the deployment of a smaller number of UNIFIL members or the modification of the mandate and tasks of the mission itself is considered.
