UN votes to end its peacekeeping force in Lebanon next year after nearly
5 decades
[August 29, 2025]
By EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on
Thursday to terminate the U.N. peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon at
the end of next year after nearly five decades, bowing to demands from
the United States and its close ally Israel.
The United States, which initially demanded the force be ended in six
months and later sought a one-year final extension, voted in favor of a
final 16-month mandate to continue its activities near Lebanon’s
U.N.-drawn border with Israel until Dec. 31, 2026.
The multinational peacekeeping force has played a significant role in
monitoring the security situation in southern Lebanon for decades,
including during the Israel-Hezbollah war last year. But it has drawn
criticism from both sides and officials in President Donald Trump’s
administration, which has moved to slash U.S. funding for the operation
as Trump remakes America’s approach to foreign policy.
“The security environment in Lebanon is radically different than just
one year ago, creating the space for Lebanon to assume greater
responsibility,” said the acting U.S. ambassador, Dorothy Shea.
A longtime peacekeeping force will wind down
The peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, was created to oversee the
withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon after Israel’s 1978
invasion. Its mission was expanded following the monthlong 2006 war
between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah.
Following last fall’s Israel-Hezbollah war, Lebanese officials have
called for UNIFIL to remain, saying the country’s cash-strapped and
overstretched army is unable to patrol the full area on its own.
In a statement, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam welcomed the
decision to extend UNIFIL’s mandate through 2026 and thanked “all
friendly countries in this Council that expressed their understanding of
Lebanon’s concerns.”
Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, told the Security Council that
“we are at a decisive moment for Lebanon, Israel and the region, on what
comes next.”
The U.N. resolution, sponsored by France, gives the force a year
starting on Dec. 31, 2026, to withdraw its 10,800 military and civilian
personnel and all U.N. equipment. During this period, UNIFIL was
authorized to carry out a few limited activities.
The resolution says the aim is to make the Lebanese government “the sole
provider of security” in southern Lebanon north of the U.N.-drawn border
with Israel known as the Blue Line. It calls on Israel to withdraw its
forces from north of the Blue Line. Danon made no mention of a pullout
in his remarks.
Trump administration pushed for end to UNIFIL
Trump administration political appointees had sought to shut down UNIFIL
as soon as possible and secured major cuts in U.S. funding. They regard
the operation as a waste of money that is merely delaying the goal of
eliminating Hezbollah’s influence and restoring full security control to
the Lebanese armed forces.
European nations, notably France and Italy, objected to winding down
UNIFIL too quickly. They argued that ending the peacekeeping mission
before the Lebanese army was able to fully secure the border area would
create a vacuum Hezbollah could easily exploit.
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Shiite men hold up posters that read in Arabic: "America is the
mother of terrorism", during a protest against Tom Barrack, U.S.
President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, who was supposed
to visit Tyre city in south Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. (AP
Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
France’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Jay Dharmadhikari, welcomed the
unanimous vote, saying last November’s cessation of hostilities
between Israel and Hezbollah placed Lebanon on a path to regain
sovereignty over its entire territory and toward regional stability.
He said UNIFIL’s ongoing operations are still vital, stressing that
its mandate until the end of 2026 will give the force “precious time
… to work alongside the mounting capabilities of the Lebanese army
so that sovereignty can be extended throughout Lebanese territory.”
Dharmadhikari warned that “any premature withdrawal could undermine
or even weaken” that effort.
The U.S. commended the progress of deployment of Lebanese forces,
Shea said, and will keep working with it “to expand its capabilities
as Lebanon carries out its critical work in disarming Hezbollah.”
She urged the international community to use the coming year to
bolster the Lebanese armed forces and “set Lebanon up for success.”
Some fear for the stability of the region when peacekeepers
depart
Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on
the Security Council, stressed that UNIFIL “remains indispensable to
stability in Lebanon and in the region” by playing a key role in
deescalating tensions, supporting a ceasefire and enabling Lebanese
forces to deploy in the south.
Saying Israeli forces are still in Lebanon in violation of past
agreements, Bendjama warned that “without ending Israel’s occupation
of Arab lands, peace and stability in the region will remain
elusive.”
Israel’s Danon accused UNIFIL of consistently overlooking
Hezbollah’s “vast military buildup,” providing the militant group
“with cover to entrench itself.”
Strengthening the Lebanese armed forces “is essential if Lebanon is
ever to reclaim full sovereignty" from Hezbollah, Danon said.
Israel is prepared to advance talks with Lebanon on enforcing the
border if the country moves toward disarming Hezbollah.
During the one-year withdrawal period, the U.N. resolution says,
UNIFIL is authorized to provide security and assistance to U.N.
personnel, “to maintain situational awareness in the vicinity of
UNIFIL locations,” and to contribute to the protection of civilians
and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid “within the limits of its
capacities.”
The resolution urges the international community “to intensify its
support, including equipment, material and finance” to the Lebanese
armed forces.
___
Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this
report.
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