President Aoun’s Rome visit: Italy offers readiness to help as post-UNIFIL plans remain unclear

Report by Nada Andraos, English adaptation by Mariella Succar

President Joseph Aoun returned from Rome without a concrete agreement on Italy’s potential role in Lebanon, leaving several key questions over the future of southern Lebanon unresolved.

Aoun’s talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni focused on three main issues: a proposed verification mechanism in designated areas, the situation in the south after the end of UNIFIL’s mandate, and the role Italy could play in both efforts.

So far, however, Italy’s position has remained at the level of expressing its willingness to help, with no agreement on a specific role or mechanism.

Sources familiar with the discussions told LBCI that any Italian or international deployment on the ground would also require Israeli approval. Israel has so far opposed the proposals under discussion.

The verification mechanism is also being considered separately from the potential international force that could replace UNIFIL, whose structure and mandate remain unclear. 

Questions include whether such a force would operate under a U.N. Security Council mandate or a European framework, who would lead it, which countries would contribute, and what powers it would have.

Aoun’s visit therefore did not result in a finalized agreement or implementation plan, but it did open the possibility of an Italian role in southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s efforts are continuing, with Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal also scheduled to visit Rome on Sunday. His talks are expected to focus on Italy’s potential role in the south, as well as support for the Lebanese Army.