Lebanon says open to alternative international presence if UNIFIL mandate not extended

President Joseph Aoun says Lebanon remains committed to UN peacekeeping force, stresses its important role in south

Lebanon would welcome an alternative international presence in the country’s south if the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission cannot be extended, President Joseph Aoun said Thursday. Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with Dutch Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA). The president stressed Lebanon’s commitment to maintaining the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), citing the “important role” it plays in the south. If an extension of UNIFIL’s mandate is not possible, Lebanon would welcome any “brotherly or friendly” country willing to continue aspects of the mission’s work, particularly support for the Lebanese army and residents of the south in humanitarian, social, health, educational and communications fields, Aoun said. He added that contacts are underway to find a legal framework for such an international presence. Aoun also accused Israel of continuing to violate the framework agreement reached through Lebanese-US-Israeli negotiations in Washington, citing continued attacks, destruction of southern villages and demolition of homes and property. He said the Lebanese army is fully carrying out its duties in areas where it has redeployed and rejected claims questioning the military’s role or its commitment to decisions by the country’s political authorities. Aoun said reconstruction of southern Lebanon is the responsibility of the Lebanese state but cannot proceed while the Israeli presence in the area continues.