Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has dismissed claims of a US-supported initiative to establish a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, amid rumors of a potential shift in the region's military oversight from the UN peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) to a new international military arrangement. Speaking to reporters in Beirut after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Salam addressed the reports suggesting that France and the US were advocating for a civilian-free buffer zone near the Israeli border, stating, "I haven't heard of such a proposal."
According to Anadolu Agency, the remarks from Salam were in response to a report by Lebanese daily Al-Liwaa. The report cited a senior political source indicating that the US had allegedly informed Lebanon of its decision not to support the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, instead advocating for a joint deployment of American, French, and British forces to replace the current peacekeeping operations. The report further claimed that US envoy Tom Barrack had recently presented a Lebanese official with a proposal for a comprehensive deal. This proposed deal purportedly included the establishment of a wide demilitarized buffer zone under full international supervision, in exchange for a permanent cessation of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, postwar reconstruction, prisoner releases, and significant investments.
These developments occur amidst ongoing tensions along Lebanon's southern border, where Israeli airstrikes have continued to impact civilian areas despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since late 2024. Israel initiated military operations in Lebanon on October 8, 2023, escalating into full-scale warfare by September 23, 2024, leading to over 4,000 deaths and approximately 17,000 injuries. Although the ceasefire agreement stipulated that Israel was to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, the deadline was extended to February 18 after Israel's refusal to comply. Israel still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.
During the meeting on Saturday, Salam and Berri also discussed the Lebanese premier's recent visit to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron. According to a statement from Berri's office, Macron reassured France's support for Lebanon and its commitment to renewing UNIFIL's mandate to help maintain stability in the region. Salam reiterated this sentiment in a social media post following the visit, affirming Macron's commitment to supporting Lebanon and extending UNIFIL's mission in southern Lebanon.
Furthermore, in late June, Lebanon's Foreign Ministry formally requested UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to extend UNIFIL's mandate for another year starting August 31.