UN Secretary-General António Guterres has, in a letter to members of the UN Security Council, emphasized the need to maintain a United Nations peacekeeping presence in Lebanon after the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends later this year.
Reuters reported Tuesday night, June 2, that Guterres outlined three possible options for replacing the current UNIFIL forces in the letter sent to the 15 members of the Security Council.
Under the proposal, the future UN presence in Lebanon could range from about 1,980 to 5,525 troops and peacekeepers.
Guterres said the security situation in Lebanon has significantly deteriorated since March, and that in all three proposed options, a continued peacekeeping presence is essential to support the UN political mission aimed at achieving a lasting solution.
The first option envisions a limited presence of unarmed observers and infantry units tasked with security and monitoring along the Blue Line and up to the Litani River.
The second option proposes a medium-sized structure focused on direct monitoring in areas between the Blue Line and the Litani River.
The third option suggests a smaller force with more limited monitoring and security-management capabilities.
The UN chief also stressed that any future mission would require air support, technical equipment such as radar and drones, as well as engineering and demining capacity.
The proposals come as tensions in southern Lebanon continue and the security situation in the region remains fragile.
