Overview

• Negotiations pushed the Security Council decision to later this week, with UNIFIL’s mandate set to expire on Sunday.
• The draft would extend the mission to August 31, 2026 and declare the Council’s intent to work toward a withdrawal that leaves the Lebanese government as the sole security provider in the south.
• U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Washington will support a one-year renewal but argued the Lebanese Armed Forces, not UNIFIL, should be relied upon for security.
• Senior UN officials warned that a rapid drawdown would be risky and highlighted UNIFIL’s support to the army, including facilitating the deployment of roughly 8,300 LAF troops.
• The text condemns incidents that injured peacekeepers and damaged UN positions without naming Israel, while troop contributors such as Ireland warn non-renewal would endanger personnel and regional stability.