Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has proposed the formation of an international force to aid the Lebanese army in the southern region if the UN peacekeeping mission cannot continue. Aoun emphasized the importance of international forces in the south and suggested establishing an alternative force if necessary. The President made these remarks during a meeting with the European Union’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele.
Aoun highlighted that the proposed force would assist in clearing southern areas, removing unexploded ordnance, and supporting the implementation of the US-brokered agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Meanwhile, Ambassador Waele stressed the critical juncture Lebanon is facing, emphasizing the need for enhanced security, institutional reconstruction, and reforms. She also mentioned that securing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund could unlock international aid and attract foreign investments.
In a separate development, a group of Lebanese lawmakers handed a letter signed by 86 parliament members to UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jean Arnault. The letter urged the renewal and continuous presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The lawmakers expressed unanimous support for UNIFIL’s mission, citing its vital role in maintaining security, overseeing the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and preventing further tensions in the region.
The lawmakers underscored the ongoing violations and fragile security conditions that necessitate UNIFIL’s continued presence with its full operational mandate. They emphasized the significance of UNIFIL’s role during what they described as a crucial period for Lebanon and the broader region.
