UN draft extends UNIFIL for one year, plans troop withdrawal next year

A newly circulated United Nations draft resolution, obtained by AFP, outlines plans to gradually wind down and withdraw the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after nearly five decades of deployment. The peacekeeping mission, first established in 1978 and significantly expanded following the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, would see its mandate formally end on December 31, 2026, with a year-long phased withdrawal to follow.

Debate over extension versus drawdown

The draft text, prepared ahead of a scheduled Security Council vote, proposes terminating UNIFIL’s mandate while beginning preparations for an “orderly and safe drawdown” of troops. Initially, the Council had been expected to vote on a French-backed proposal that would extend the mission for another year without committing to a fixed withdrawal timeline.

The question of UNIFIL’s future was also a focus in a call between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and several European counterparts, according to Italy’s foreign ministry. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot both emphasized the mission’s stabilizing role, highlighting its support for the Lebanese Army and its importance in maintaining regional balance amid heightened tensions.

Washington signals cautious support

During a visit to Beirut, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack expressed Washington’s preference for a limited extension rather than a fixed end date. Speaking from Lebanon’s presidential palace, Barrack confirmed that the U.S. position is to approve a one-year renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate. He also voiced concerns about the mission’s financial burden, pointing out that UNIFIL costs the UN approximately one billion dollars annually.

Next steps for the mission

The Security Council vote, initially slated for Monday, was delayed due to opposition from both the United States and Israel to the original draft text. Diplomatic sources indicate discussions remain ongoing, as member states weigh the risks of a premature withdrawal against the challenges of sustaining such a costly operation indefinitely.

For Lebanon, UNIFIL has long acted as a buffer in the volatile south, and its future will likely be tied to broader questions of regional security and the ability of the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume greater responsibility. The coming months are expected to determine whether UNIFIL’s mission will be extended once again—or whether the UN will begin planning its final exit.