Beirut, August 19 – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed his country’s insistence on the continued presence of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon for the entire duration necessary to implement Resolution 1701 in all its provisions and to complete the deployment of the Lebanese army up to the international borders, according to the Lebanese News Agency.

This came during Aoun’s meeting with UNIFIL Commander Diodato Abagnara at Baabda Palace, where Aoun emphasized the importance of cooperation between the army, UNIFIL, and the residents of southern towns and villages.

The Security Council began discussions on Monday regarding a French-drafted resolution to extend the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon and indicated its intention to eventually work on withdrawing this UN force.

According to Reuters, the French draft resolution states that the Council intends to work towards the withdrawal of UNIFIL to make the Lebanese government the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon, provided that the Lebanese government fully controls all Lebanese territory and that the parties agree on a comprehensive political arrangement.

UNIFIL, established in 1978, patrols the southern border of Lebanon with Israel. Its mandate is renewed annually, with the current mandate expiring on August 31.