WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is pushing to end the United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, a move strongly opposed by key European allies, raising tensions ahead of a critical vote at the U.N. Security Council later this month.
At stake is the future of the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, a multinational force that has monitored hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah since 1978. Its mandate expires at the end of August and must be renewed by the Security Council for operations to continue.
The U.S. administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, views the mission as ineffective and costly, arguing that UNIFIL has failed to disarm Hezbollah and restore full Lebanese government control in the south.
According to administration officials and congressional aides, Rubio signed off last week on a plan to shut down the force within six months.
The decision follows a broader Trump-era foreign policy shift to reduce U.S. funding and engagement in multilateral institutions. Washington has already slashed contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and withdrawn from several U.N. agencies.
France, Italy, and Britain — whose troops contribute significantly to UNIFIL — are urging a one-year extension, arguing that an abrupt end would create a dangerous security vacuum. With Lebanon’s military still under-resourced and stretched thin, European diplomats warn that Hezbollah could swiftly exploit any withdrawal.
Israel, which has long criticized the peacekeepers’ effectiveness, reluctantly agreed to the one-year extension, according to U.S. and European officials.
The debate comes amid growing friction between Washington and its European allies over foreign policy issues ranging from Israel’s war in Gaza to the war in Ukraine and international trade.
France’s latest draft resolution, seen by The Associated Press, extends UNIFIL’s mandate by a year without a firm end date — a key U.S. demand. The draft mentions the Council’s “intention to work on a withdrawal,” language that U.S. officials say is too vague.
Even if the mandate is renewed, officials say the mission may face reductions due to financial pressures. A U.N. official familiar with the talks said one compromise under discussion is scaling back troop numbers while expanding UNIFIL’s technological surveillance capabilities.
There are currently around 10,000 U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army, which also patrols the area, has approximately 6,000 soldiers there, with plans to reach 10,000.
UNIFIL has been criticized by Hezbollah supporters, who accuse it of cooperating with Israel, and by Israel, which claims the force has ignored Hezbollah's growing arsenal. During and after last year’s war between Israel and Hezbollah, several Hezbollah weapons caches and tunnels were discovered near UNIFIL bases.
Sarit Zehavi, a former Israeli intelligence officer, said the peacekeepers had “damaged the mission to disarm Hezbollah.” She cited weapons finds near UNIFIL positions as evidence.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed that unauthorized rocket launchers and explosives had been discovered again this week and reported to Lebanese authorities.
Lebanese officials have urged that the mission be extended, citing the country’s ongoing economic and political crises and the military’s limited capacity. Retired Gen. Khalil Helou said that ending the mission now would force troops to be pulled from other vulnerable areas.
“UNIFIL is maybe not fulfilling 100% of what the West or Israel want,” he said. “But for Lebanon, their presence is important.”
U.N. spokesman Dujarric said the mission remains vital to regional stability. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti added that the decision is up to the Security Council: “We are here to assist the parties in implementation of the mission’s mandate and we’re waiting for the final decision.” — Agencies
