The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted to extend the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon till the end of 2026. The extension of the UNIFIL man date will be the last, according to the UN Resolution.

The Resolution also calls on ‘Israel’ to withdraw its troops from the Lebanese territories it is still occupying in Lebanon.

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

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a phone call from French counterpart Emanuel Macron that discussed UNSC extension of UNIFIL mandate. The discussions also tackled the two conferences that would be convened for the sake reconstruction in Lebanon and supporting the Lebanese army.

France, which oversees the issue at the Security Council, had initially considered a one-year extension and referred to an “intention” to work toward a withdrawal of UNIFIL.

But faced with a possible US veto, and following several proposals and a Monday postponement of the vote, the latest draft resolution unequivocally schedules the end of the mission in 16 months, ABC News reported.

Source: Al-Manar English Website