France and Italy forge new coalition to secure Lebanon as UNIFIL mandate ends

With the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) set to conclude at the end of the year, France and Italy have agreed to spearhead a new multinational coalition to support the country and prevent a security vacuum.

With the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) set to conclude at the end of the year, France and Italy have agreed to spearhead a new multinational coalition to support the country and prevent a security vacuum.

The announcement was made by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in the French resort of Antibes . Meloni stated the two nations have agreed to launch a coalition to support Lebanon post-UNIFIL, and have also discussed the possibility of convening an international conference on the issue .

The initiative comes at a critical juncture for Lebanon, which has been devastated by recent conflict. The UN Security Council has extended UNIFIL’s mandate until December 31, 2026, after which the mission will be withdrawn . This has raised concerns about a potential security vacuum, particularly in the south of the country, where Israel maintains a presence and tensions with Hezbollah remain high .

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for a coordinated European approach, stating that Paris and Rome want to establish a “mechanism post-UNIFIL … to strengthen the sovereignty in Lebanon and avoid that its territory becomes a starting point for a new regional escalation” . The coalition is expected to be developed in collaboration with the European Union and the United Nations .

The initiative reflects a long-standing commitment from Italy and France to Lebanon’s stability, which both nations view as essential for the balance of the entire Mediterranean region . Discussions about the force’s structure have been underway for some time, with potential options including a force of several thousand troops, though the final shape of the coalition will depend on Lebanon’s needs .