October 19, 2026
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri affirmed Lebanon’s official and popular adherence to the presence of the international emergency forces operating in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL), warning of the danger of a security vacuum in the region before the implementation of International Resolution 1701 is completed, and calling for French, European, international and regional action to avoid this scenario.
Berri’s position came during his meeting at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, Alice Ruffaut, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Patrick Durel, and Advisor to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mahmoud Berri. During the meeting, they discussed political and field developments in Lebanon and the region, especially in the south, in addition to the future of UNIFIL and ways to strengthen bilateral relations between Lebanon and France.
Berri stressed that Lebanon has committed and is committed to Resolution 1701, in exchange for Israel continuing to violate its provisions and its military operations and occupation of areas of Lebanese territory, stressing that the priority lies in unifying national and international efforts to stop the attacks and oblige Israel to implement the resolutions of international legitimacy, especially Resolution 1701, instead of overthrowing it.
The Speaker of Parliament expressed his appreciation to France and President Emmanuel Macron for their continued support for Lebanon, noting the sacrifices of the French unit and other international units within UNIFIL over more than 48 years in implementing Resolutions 425 and 1701. He pointed out that the role of the international force went beyond the security and military aspects to include humanitarian, cultural, economic and social contributions that strengthened communication with local communities in the south. At the conclusion of the meeting, Berri held a tribute lunch in honor of the two French ministers and the accompanying delegation.
These developments come at a time when UNIFIL is preparing for a decisive transitional phase following UN Security Council Resolution No. 2790, which stipulated the extension of the force for the last time until December 31, 2026, to be followed by a gradual and safe withdrawal during the year 2027 in coordination with the Lebanese government, with the United Nations affirming that Resolution 1701 will remain the basic framework for stability in southern Lebanon.
