Lebanese President Reiterates Desire to Extend UNIFIL Mandate or Find Alternative International Presence in the South to Prevent Vacuum

Beirut, October 17 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his country’s desire to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) or continue its operations through 2027, as the mission’s security mandate approaches its end at the close of this year. This was stated in a statement issued by the Lebanese Presidency following President Aoun’s meeting on Saturday at Baabda Palace with a French ministerial delegation led by Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barraud and Secretary of State for Armed Forces Alice Ruf, accompanied by French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrick Doriol and accompanying officials.

President Aoun expressed his welcome for “any formula that ensures an international presence in the south to prevent a security vacuum and avoid placing the Lebanese Army in direct contact with Israeli occupation forces in occupied areas,” emphasizing his support for any French efforts within the UN Security Council to reach the desired arrangement. He viewed French positions supporting Lebanon as reflecting the “deep-rooted relations” between the two countries throughout history, and expressed hope that French presence in Lebanon would continue for the benefit of both friendly peoples.

The statement noted that President Aoun began the meeting by thanking French President Emmanuel Macron for his decision to resume French commercial flights to Beirut, his support for the inclusion of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli in the Economic Corridor Ports Club (IMEC), and France’s role in establishing a new European support mission for Lebanon, which will provide advice to the army and internal security forces for three years.

The Lebanese president said that Israeli occupation forces continue their attacks, hinder farmers’ access to their lands, and refuse to implement the provisions of the Framework Agreement, thereby preventing the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the international borders. Aoun revealed that a Lebanese military delegation would participate in the upcoming trilateral meeting in Tampa, Florida, on October 20, to place Lebanese demands for an end to escalation on the table of negotiations mediated by the United States.

On domestic issues, Aoun affirmed that the army and security forces are implementing government decisions to extend state authority, prevent armed manifestations, confiscate weapons, and refer violators to justice, stressing the importance of strengthening and equipping the army to carry out its mission. He expressed his country’s expectation “soon” for the convening of an international conference to support the army and security forces, and to follow up on the completion of economic and financial reforms, considering Lebanon a “strategic partner for European countries.”

For his part, the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs reaffirmed his country’s support for Lebanon, its steadfast backing of its sovereignty and stability, and France’s commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire agreement signed on June 26, 2026, and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Barraud stressed the necessity of establishing a new international framework to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and facilitate the deployment of its armed forces “to avoid any security vacuum.” He reiterated France’s readiness to play its “full” role in supporting Lebanon and its stability, alongside continuing to provide emergency humanitarian aid and supporting fundamental reforms to advance the country. (End) F.Z. / M.M. J.