ALWAGHT- Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stresses that some form of international presence should remain in southern Lebanon, even if UNIFIL's mandate expires as scheduled.
Lebanon has formally asked the UN Security Council to extend the international peacekeeping presence in southern Lebanon, with France and several other countries supporting the request.
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said an international presence should remain in the south even if UNIFIL's mandate expires as scheduled. Lebanon has suggested that a replacement force could operate under the UN flag.
Beirut's request comes amid Israel's continued presence in southern Lebanon and its opposition to renewing UNIFIL's mandate. Several alternatives are being discussed, including a smaller UN mission or a multinational force involving France, Italy, Germany, the US, or the EU.
UNIFIL has warned that southern Lebanon remains fragile, reporting more than 1,000 projectile trajectories in one week in late August and continued incidents affecting peacekeepers. UNIFIL's mandate is set to expire on December 31, 2026, followed by a phased withdrawal.
