LBCI reviews Italian proposal for post-UNIFIL mission: Limited international presence, operational arm to support Lebanese Army and monitor ceasefire

LBCI has obtained details of Italy’s four-page proposal for the period following the end of UNIFIL’s mandate. The proposal calls for a smaller but more capable international presence, focused on four main operational priorities:

-Supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and protecting civilians, including through humanitarian assistance;
-Supporting the ceasefire mechanism, including, where agreed politically, helping implement any future disarmament measures;
-Facilitating coordination and de-escalation between the parties;
-Monitoring and reporting.

Drawing on Italy’s extensive experience with UNIFIL and its bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, Rome is seeking to advance a potential multilateral initiative, to be developed in coordination with and alongside whatever future U.N. framework is established.

The proposal also calls for the European Union to play a larger role as a force multiplier, providing economic assistance, institutional support and capacity-building programs for the Lebanese Armed Forces and other Lebanese security institutions. 

Other international agencies operating on the ground would also be involved, particularly the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), whose role would be strengthened, especially in coordinating U.N. activities related to the implementation of U.N. Resolution 1701.

As part of this framework, Italy proposes establishing an “operational arm” within the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon (MTC4L). Its responsibilities would be defined gradually, potentially including an accompanying function, depending on the agreements reached and developments on the ground.

The initiative would operate under a U.N. Security Council resolution, which Italy considers essential to providing the international presence with political legitimacy and a legal mandate, while ensuring coordination among the various multinational agencies operating in Lebanon.

In southern Lebanon, the proposed multinational presence would also have a strong liaison and coordination role at both the operational and tactical levels.

Through a dedicated Liaison Branch, it would facilitate communication between the Lebanese and Israeli militaries, help de-escalate tensions, and serve as a buffer and coordination mechanism to prevent friction between the two forces and reduce the risk of incidents involving troops and civilians.