Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed a French-Italian proposal to establish a new international mechanism to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after its mandate ends.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over a potential security vacuum in southern Lebanon once the UN mission concludes in late 2026.
Aoun Backs International Initiative
In a statement, President Aoun described the initiative as “a sincere expression of international commitment to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.”
He added that the proposal reflects “recognition of the Lebanese Armed Forces’ role in maintaining security and extending state authority across all Lebanese territory, particularly in the southern border areas.”
Avoiding a Security Vacuum
Aoun emphasized the importance of preventing any security gap after UNIFIL’s withdrawal, noting that the French-Italian position aligns with Lebanon’s view that the Lebanese army is the “only true guarantor of security in the south.”
He stressed that Lebanon is open to any international framework that:
– Strengthens the Lebanese Armed Forces
– Preserves national sovereignty
– Prevents the country from becoming a platform for regional escalation
French-Italian Proposal for Multinational Coalition
French President Emmanuel Macron announced discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on forming a “multinational coalition” to operate after UNIFIL’s mandate ends.
Macron stated:
“We want to launch a coalition for the post-UNIFIL phase, in coordination with the European Union and the United Nations, to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and armed forces.”
The initiative aims to ensure stability and prevent Lebanon from becoming a flashpoint for wider regional tensions.
Italy Stresses Continued International Presence
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need to maintain an international presence in southern Lebanon to avoid a “dangerous security vacuum.”
She noted that cooperation between Italy and France could play a decisive role in shaping the next phase of international engagement in Lebanon.
Background on UNIFIL Mission
UNIFIL currently includes approximately 7,500 troops from around 50 countries and has been deployed in southern Lebanon near the Blue Line since 1978.
In August 2025, the UN Security Council decided to end the mission by December 31, 2026, despite calls from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to maintain a form of international military presence in Lebanon.
Key Points
– Lebanon welcomes proposal to replace UNIFIL
– France and Italy propose multinational coalition
– Focus on preventing security vacuum in the south
– Lebanese army seen as key to stability
– UNIFIL mission set to end in December 2026
Conclusion
The proposed international coalition reflects increasing international concern about maintaining stability in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL’s withdrawal. As discussions continue, the challenge will be to design a framework that balances sovereignty, security, and regional stability.
