The presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon is entering its final months, with a field scene open to tension and ongoing security violations. In this context, the mission’s spokeswoman, Candice Ardell, revealed in an exclusive interview with Sky News Arabia the details of the ongoing preparations to implement the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces after the end of the current mandate at the end of this year.
Ardell explained that UNIFIL will continue until the end of the year to focus its efforts on implementing the tasks assigned to it and supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, stressing that “upon the end of our mandate, we will begin implementing the withdrawal plan, which will see the departure of peacekeeping forces in stages.” She described this withdrawal as a “huge logistical operation” that extends for several months, is a challenge even in the best circumstances, and will be more difficult in light of the current conditions.
Regarding potential security challenges, Ardell indicated that the situation in southern Lebanon is still “fragile and volatile,” noting that UNIFIL regularly monitors the presence of Israeli soldiers, air strikes, missiles, drone attacks, demolitions of neighborhoods, and other violations that threaten further escalation, in addition to the discovery of weapons stores left by Lebanese non-state actors. She confirmed the existence of plans to deal with any problems that the international force may face, with the current focus on laying the foundation for a smooth transition to the next stage.
Ardell stressed that after the end of the mission’s mandate, “we will no longer have the authority to monitor and report on what is happening on the ground,” explaining that this explains UNIFIL’s insistence on the importance of having a “neutral international force” to undertake this mission. While she stressed that UNIFIL “has no role in determining what will happen next,” she stressed, in return, the importance of an impartial international presence to monitor developments, maintain channels of communication and coordination between the parties, support the Lebanese army, and help prevent unintended escalation.
Regarding Resolution 1701, Ardell stressed that achieving sustainable progress in its implementation depends on the parties’ commitment to their commitments, pointing out that recent events have reaffirmed the importance of its full implementation, including respect for the Blue Line, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory, the absence of unauthorized weapons south of the Litani River, and the restoration of security and stability through diplomatic means. She stated that the decision established an unprecedented period of stability along the Blue Line between 2006 and 2023, stressing that its goals still maintain their importance despite the difficulties.
It is noteworthy that the UN Security Council had approved Resolution 2790 on August 28, 2025, extending UNIFIL for the last time until December 31, 2026, provided that its operations would cease on that date, after which an orderly and safe withdrawal process would begin in stages to be completed within a year. These developments coincide with continuing military tension, and in light of diplomatic efforts that included Paris hosting on September 17 a meeting that included Arab and European military leaders and officials to discuss the post-UNIFIL phase and the needs of the Lebanese army, amid fears of the repercussions of the absence of an international force in the event that alternative arrangements are not available.
