UN begins debate on future of Lebanon peacekeeping force

The UN Security Council has started debating a resolution drafted by France to extend the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon for a year, before the mandate expires at the end of the month. The US and Israel have reportedly opposed the renewal of the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (Unifil) and it is unclear whether the draft text will be blocked by Washington, which holds a veto. The text, first reported by Reuters, would extend the mandate of Unifil until August 31 next year but “indicates its intention to work on a withdrawal of Unifil”. That would be on condition that the Lebanese government becomes the “sole provider of security in southern Lebanon”.