Lacroix reaffirms UN commitment to peace and stability as UNIFIL prepares for drawdown

Concluding a three-day visit to Lebanon, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix reaffirmed the importance of Security Council resolution 1701 and the U.N.'s commitment to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon as UNIFIL prepares for its drawdown and planned withdrawal at the end of its mandate on 31 December 2026.

In meetings with senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji and Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, Lacroix discussed the implementation of Resolution 1701, UNIFIL’s work, and options for the future following the mission’s departure.

Meeting with members of the diplomatic community, representatives of UNIFIL’s troop-contributing countries and the U.N. Country Team, he expressed appreciation for their critical support to the mission and its efforts to promote peace and stability in Lebanon.

At UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura, Lacroix met with the mission’s leadership and civilian and military peacekeepers, thanking them for their "continued dedication while serving in a particularly challenging operational environment."

“The Lebanese authorities themselves have been very clear that they think there needs to be this third party – the U.N. – avoiding unattended escalation and incidents spiraling out of control between the Israel Defense Forces (Israeli army) and the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces),” said Lacroix, highlighting concerns over the future of the Blue Line and support for communities in south Lebanon after UNIFIL’s departure.

Under Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL continues to support Lebanon and Israel in meeting their obligations by "impartially monitoring developments and reporting violations, liaising with the parties to help prevent misunderstandings and reduce tensions, and facilitating humanitarian missions," a UNIFIL statement said.

The visit came as UNIFIL prepares to conclude its mandate at the end of 2026, and as the Security Council considers options for the post-UNIFIL period.