Lebanese Prime Minister urges new international force as UNIFIL withdraws

At the UN General Assembly, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the international community to maintain a security force in the south once UNIFIL ends its mandate in December. He told leaders that Israel must complete its withdrawal, cease hostilities, and that Lebanon needs to strengthen its military and keep all arms under state authority. Salam met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani, Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani and US Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

The Lebanese government fears a security vacuum and is seeking either a renewal of UNIFIL or a new multinational force. France recently supported Lebanon’s request during President Joseph Aoun’s visit to Paris, while France and Italy are drafting a possible replacement plan. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in the Nabatiyeh governorate caused extensive damage but no casualties.