The United Nations Security Council started negotiations on a French-drafted resolution to extend a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and signal an intention to work on an eventual withdrawal of the UN troops.

Council members were debating the draft resolution on Monday ahead of a vote of the 15-member council on August 25 before the expiry of the force’s mandate at the end of the month.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), established in 1978, patrols Lebanon’s southern border with occupied Palestine. The mandate for the operation is renewed annually, and its current authorization expires on August 31.

The French draft text would see the council indicate “its intention to work on a withdrawal of UNIFIL with the aim of making the Lebanese Government the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon, provided that the Government of Lebanon fully controls all Lebanese territory and that the parties agree on a comprehensive political arrangement.”

The United States, a veto-wielding council member, told a closed-door council meeting on Monday that the mission should only be extended for one final year, said diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity.

When asked for comment on whether the US wanted to wind down UNIFIL, a State Department spokesman said: “We don’t comment on ongoing UN Security Council negotiations.”

The draft Security Council text “urges the international community to intensify its support, including equipment, material and financial” to the Lebanese army.

UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded in 2006, following a 33-day Israeli war on Lebanon.

Source: Agencies (edited by Al-Manar English Website)