Countdown begins on UNIFIL exit as Lebanon weighs limited force option

Report by Raneem Bou Khzam, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian

Following the joint press conference of French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, the issue of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has resurfaced, against the backdrop of a countdown to the end of its mission in Lebanon.

On Aug. 28, 2025, the U.N. Security Council made its decision: a final extension of UNIFIL’s mandate until the end of 2026.

With that decision, the race to find an alternative began. Lebanon, keen on maintaining an international force along its southern border, proposed deploying a limited military observer force, around 1,000 personnel, compared with UNIFIL’s roughly 10,000 troops.

The proposal had been under discussion before shifting developments following the recent conflict.

As direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel got underway, the picture grew more uncertain. Why? Because border security is expected to be at the core of any agreement. 

Less than eight months remain before its withdrawal begins, with no alternative solution yet on the table.

UNIFIL’s importance goes beyond its role as a peacekeeping force. Its presence has long been part of daily life in southern Lebanon. 

It employs 547 Lebanese staff and has carried out development projects worth approximately $1 million annually, in addition to providing healthcare services, supporting farmers, and offering training in vocational, digital, and language skills.