HAMILTON, Canada

The UN Security Council on Thursday unanimously extended the mandate of its Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for a "final" 16-month period, aiming for "an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal" of UN forces.

The resolution set the end date at Dec. 31, 2026.

France, the penholder for the draft resolution, highlighted progress toward regional stability since a 2024 ceasefire with Israel, including Lebanon's efforts to regain its sovereignty.

"Any premature withdrawal could undermine or even weaken the efforts of the Lebanese government" in southern Lebanon, Jay Dharmadhikari, the charge d'Affaires of France, told the Council.

"The situation remains volatile, and vast collective efforts are necessary for long-term stabilization along the Blue Line," he said, referring to the demarcation line that separates Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "will explore, by 1 June 2026, options for the future of the implementation of Resolution 1701 after the withdrawal of UNIFIL."

"On 31 December 2026, the Mission will start within one year to carry out its orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal, with the aim of making the Government of Lebanon the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon," Dujarric said, adding that the mission's "liquidation will begin after the conclusion of the drawdown and withdrawal phase."

"We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the parties in their efforts to fully implement Resolution 1701 and take the necessary steps towards a permanent ceasefire and lasting stability for the people on both sides of the Blue Line," he added.

UNIFIL has been deployed since 1978 to monitor the ceasefire along the Lebanese-Israeli border and support Lebanese forces in southern Lebanon.

Israel launched a military offensive in Lebanon on Oct. 8, 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war by September of the following year, killing more than 4,000 people and injuring around 17,000.

A ceasefire was reached in November, but Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target activities of the Hezbollah group.

Under the truce, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Tel Aviv refused to comply. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.