Lebanon: Lebanese President Gen. Joseph Aoun emphasized the importance of extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as the primary option to maintain stability and enhance the country's role and military effectiveness. Addressing a Lebanese parliamentary delegation pushing for this extension, Aoun underscored the significance of UNIFIL's presence in the southern region, asserting that the mission is crucial for reinforcing stability in villages and towns in collaboration with the military.
According to Qatar News Agency, Aoun highlighted that if the extension of UNIFIL's mandate is not realized, an alternative model ensuring the continued presence of international forces within the necessary legal framework should be considered. Aoun emphasized the importance of coordination between the military and international forces, suggesting that such cooperation would support stability and enable the forces to fulfill the missions assigned to UNIFIL.
Aoun also mentioned that Israel opposes the presence of UNIFIL forces and has been advocating against it for the past year. He reiterated that Lebanon has been advocating for the deployment of international forces to achieve a sustained international presence in the south. This presence, whether through an extension of the current mandate or through alternative international forces, is seen as vital for preserving stability and bolstering the role of the state and military in this regard.