Lebanon backs UNIFIL mandate renewal, welcomes European force alternative: President

“Lebanon supports the renewal of the international force in the south, and we are working with (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron to facilitate the renewal,” Aoun said during a meeting with French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, NNA reported.

He also welcomed the French-Italian initiative to form a European force to fill the vacuum following UNIFIL’s withdrawal.

Aoun said he will visit Paris next week to join Macron at the opening of a preparatory meeting for an international conference to support the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces and to discuss the future of the international presence in southern Lebanon.

France and Italy announced an initiative in June to launch an international coalition, in coordination with the EU and UN, aimed at developing a mechanism for the post-UNIFIL period and preventing a security vacuum in southern Lebanon.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani later said Rome could contribute troops to an international post-UNIFIL mission, while stressing that any deployment would require a multilateral agreement.

Separately, the EU is planning a mission to advise and train the Lebanese armed forces, including in border and maritime security. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said last week that the initiative is not intended to replace UNIFIL but to strengthen Lebanon’s ability to provide its own security.

Aoun also condemned Israel’s continuing attacks on Lebanon, including the killing of civilians and destruction of homes and property.

“What Israel is doing in terms of repeated attacks, killing innocent people, children and women, destroying and burning homes and bulldozing property are condemned, rejected and unjustified crimes,” he said.

Aoun said the attacks “target the course of the framework agreement and undermine all efforts being made to stop the escalation in the south and the region as a whole.”

Darmanin, for his part, praised reforms undertaken by Lebanon and said Beirut could “always count on France,” according to NNA.

Lebanon and Israel signed a US-brokered framework agreement on June 26 following negotiations in Washington. The deal calls for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for the deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of armed groups.

Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon despite the agreement. According to figures released by the Lebanese Health Ministry in late August, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed more than 4,000 people and injured over 12,000.

UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978. Its mandate is set to expire at the end of 2026, prompting discussions over security arrangements for the post-UNIFIL period. Lebanon has repeatedly said it prefers the mission to remain but is open to an alternative international presence if its mandate cannot be extended.