October 14, 2026
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, arrives at Baabda Palace on a very important visit, coinciding with the approaching end of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026, and the accompanying international contacts to determine the future of the international presence in the south and avoid any security vacuum.
Informed sources in Baabda revealed that the “UNIFIL” file will be at the forefront of Lacroix’s talks with Lebanese officials, to discuss the period after the end of the current mandate, and ways to ensure continued international support for Lebanon amid the current security conditions.
In this context, Beirut adheres to the proposal to extend the UNIFIL mission for an additional six months as a transitional phase, until an alternative formula for the international presence and mechanisms for the next phase are crystallized to ensure that a security vacuum does not occur on the ground.
This movement comes based on the international decision to end the mandate of UNIFIL on December 31, 2026, in preparation for the start of reducing its numbers and its orderly and safe withdrawal during the year 2027. It is an entitlement that imposes serious challenges, namely the continued implementation of Resolution 1701 and the strengthening of the capabilities and deployment of the Lebanese army in the south.
Hence, Lacroix’s visit goes beyond the fate of the force in its current form to include the options presented for the post-withdrawal phase, and the nature of the future role of the United Nations in keeping pace with the implementation of Resolution 1701, as well as supporting the Lebanese military and security institutions to assume field responsibilities.
The UN official is scheduled to hold a series of official meetings, including President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Army Commander General Rudolph Heikal, to discuss the future of the international mission and Lebanese needs.
These talks are being held at a time when an internationally agreed final formula for the post-UNIFIL arrangements has not yet been crystallized, while the United Nations continues to explore options that maintain an international presence supportive of the implementation of Resolution 1701.
Between the option of a temporary extension, the search for alternative formulas, and preparation for gradual withdrawal in 2027, Lacroix’s visit constitutes a pivotal station for exploring the Lebanese position and discussing possible exits, at a time when the final decisions regarding the international force and the arrangements for the next phase remain exclusively within the powers of the UN Security Council.
