Beirut: Lebanon is committed to maintaining the presence of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) in the south for as long as necessary to ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday. In a meeting with UNIFIL Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara, Aoun stressed that the Lebanese army will continue its deployment until the international border is fully secured.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Aoun highlighted 'the importance of cooperation between the army, UNIFIL forces, and residents of southern towns and villages' to maintain stability in the area. He emphasized Lebanon's commitment to keeping international forces in the south to implement Resolution 1701 and to complete the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international border. A presidency statement cited his comments regarding Beirut's efforts to secure the extension of UNIFIL through contacts with 'brotherly and friendly countries.'

The Lebanese president underscored the necessity of 'maintaining security and stability in the south,' following a government's decision to increase army forces in the south to 10,000 troops, which requires collaboration with UNIFIL. Aoun praised the relationship between the UN peacekeeping force and residents of the southern towns and villages, noting 'constant care and health, social, and educational support from the countries contributing to UNIFIL.'

Resolution 1701, enacted in 2006, calls for a complete cessation of hostilities between the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Israel and the establishment of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with exceptions for the Lebanese army and UNIFIL. UNIFIL has been operational in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was reinforced under Resolution 1701 after the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The current mandate is set to expire on August 31, 2025, unless renewed by the UN Security Council.

On Monday, discussions began in the UN Security Council on a draft resolution prepared by France to extend the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Israeli media reports that Israel has officially requested the US to terminate UNIFIL's mandate in Lebanon. Israel initiated a military offensive in Lebanon on October 8, 2023, escalating into a full-scale war by September 2024, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and approximately 17,000 injuries. A ceasefire was established in November, but Israeli forces continue near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah activities. Under the truce, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 after Tel Aviv's non-compliance. Israel maintains a military presence at five border outposts.