UN Force Commander in Lebanon Calls for Smooth Transition

The UN Security Council has ordered the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon at the end of 2026. Its commander, Diodato Abagnara, said that by then the Lebanese army and other UN agencies must take over humanitarian and security tasks.

The troops have monitored hostile activity in the area for nearly 50 years. Since a new war broke out between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in March, they have also escorted humanitarian convoys to predominantly Christian towns surrounded by Israeli troops.

According to Abagnara, handing over some positions could be very challenging, as more than half of them are in Israeli-controlled territory. The mission is already providing the Lebanese army with information on sensitive areas.

The general spoke from a vantage point above the town of Mansouri, where Israeli troops are demolishing houses and cutting down trees despite the ceasefire. He described this as a violation of UN resolutions. Israel says it is destroying Hezbollah infrastructure.

The plan to disarm the group and have the Lebanese army take control of the south has stalled. Beirut is requesting an extension of the mission, and a new multinational operation is also under discussion. Without a new Security Council resolution, however, UNIFIL will cease operations at the end of the year.

(Reuters, bak)