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France, US Compromise to Renew UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon

A United Nations peacekeeper (UNIFIL) is pictured on a UN armored vehicle in Naqoura, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, August 31, 2023. (Reuters)
A United Nations peacekeeper (UNIFIL) is pictured on a UN armored vehicle in Naqoura, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, August 31, 2023. (Reuters)
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France, US Compromise to Renew UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon

A United Nations peacekeeper (UNIFIL) is pictured on a UN armored vehicle in Naqoura, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, August 31, 2023. (Reuters)
A United Nations peacekeeper (UNIFIL) is pictured on a UN armored vehicle in Naqoura, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon, August 31, 2023. (Reuters)

The United Nations Security Council voted on Thursday to extend a long-running peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for another year after a compromise was reached between France and the United States on language about the freedom of movement of UN troops.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) - established in 1978 - patrols Lebanon's southern border with Israel. The mandate for the operation is renewed annually, and its current authorization was due to expire on Thursday.

The French-drafted text was adopted with 13 votes in favor and abstentions by Russia and China. A planned Wednesday vote was delayed as France, the United States and the United Arab Emirates argued over language on UN freedom of movement.

France kept language in the resolution that spells out that peacekeepers should coordinate with the Lebanese government.

But in a compromise with the US and the UAE, France added back in text from last year's council resolution - which it had deleted - that demands all parties allow "announced and unannounced patrols" by UN troops.

"The ability of the UNIFIL personnel to carry out their responsibilities, independent of any restrictions, is essential," US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the council.

"And we've had long-standing concerns regarding the actions by some actors to obstruct the mission's freedom of movement," she said. "The resolution adopted today includes language strongly reaffirming UNIFIL's full freedom of movement."

The peacekeeping renewal comes amid an escalating war of words between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon with each vowing to return the other to the "stone age" and preparing for possible conflict even as they deny seeking one.

UNIFIL's mandate was expanded in 2006, following a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah, to allow peacekeepers to help the Lebanese army keep parts of the south free of weapons or armed personnel other than those of the Lebanese state.

That has sparked friction with Hezbollah, which effectively controls southern Lebanon despite the presence of the Lebanese army.

In December, an Irish peacekeeper was killed when his UNIFIL vehicle came under fire in southern Lebanon. A Lebanese military tribunal has accused members of Hezbollah of involvement in the killing. Hezbollah has officially denied involvement.

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Arab World

Hundreds in Somalia’s Capital Protest Israel’s Recognition of Breakaway Territory of Somaliland

People protest against Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
People protest against Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
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Hundreds in Somalia’s Capital Protest Israel’s Recognition of Breakaway Territory of Somaliland

People protest against Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)
People protest against Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in Mogadishu, Somalia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP)

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Somalia’s capital to protest Israel’s recognition of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, waving Somali flags and chanting patriotic songs in a show of national unity.

The protest on Thursday night took place at Taleh Square in downtown Mogadishu, where the crowds condemned Israel’s move as a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity in the east African country. Demonstrators carried placards rejecting what they described as foreign interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.

The rally came two weeks after Israel announced that it recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign nation — and two days after Israel’s foreign minister visited Hargeisa, the Somaliland capital. On his visit, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Israel would soon open an embassy and appoint an ambassador.

Thursday night's demonstration was the third such event since Israel recognized Somaliland on Dec. 26.

“We are protesting against the division of our country,” demonstrator Said Gedi said. “This is against the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Somalia, and we hope Somalia will stand united.”

Another protester, Abdirahman Abdulkadir, said that the demonstration was meant to send a message of unity.

“Somalia cannot be divided,” he said. “We are united by one religion, one culture and the same heritage.”

The demonstration coincided with a televised address by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who strongly rejected Israel’s decision and urged dialogue between Somaliland’s leaders and the federal government in Mogadishu.

“I want to make it clear once again that the Republic of Somalia is a sovereign and united country,” Mohamud said. “Its territory cannot be divided or ceded by any letter written by Israel or signed by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”

Mohamud warned that the dispute could undermine Somalia’s political stability, economic recovery and development if not handled carefully. He urged Somaliland’s leadership to aim for talks, saying successful secessions elsewhere usually happened through political agreements. He cited examples including South Sudan, which became independent of Sudan in 2011.

Israel has no historical, cultural or economic ties with Somalia, he said.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the central government. Despite maintaining its own institutions and relative stability, it had never been recognized by a UN member state.

More than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation rejected Israel’s move.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Tuesday that Israeli recognition of Somaliland was a “dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international peace and security.”

US and Israeli officials told The Associated Press last year that Israel had approached Somaliland about taking in Palestinians from Gaza as part of US President Donald Trump’s plan at the time to resettle the territory’s population. Somalia's foreign ministry says such a proposal has neither been discussed nor considered.

Washington has since abandoned that plan, and the US State Department says it continues to recognize the territorial integrity of Somalia, “which includes the territory of Somaliland.”

Arab World

Israel Casts Doubt on Hezbollah Disarmament South of the Litani

A French peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stands by munitions formerly used by Iran-backed Hezbollah at a position that was held by the group in the Khraibeh Valley in el-Meri in south Lebanon on August 27, 2025. (AFP)
A French peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stands by munitions formerly used by Iran-backed Hezbollah at a position that was held by the group in the Khraibeh Valley in el-Meri in south Lebanon on August 27, 2025. (AFP)
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Israel Casts Doubt on Hezbollah Disarmament South of the Litani

A French peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stands by munitions formerly used by Iran-backed Hezbollah at a position that was held by the group in the Khraibeh Valley in el-Meri in south Lebanon on August 27, 2025. (AFP)
A French peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) stands by munitions formerly used by Iran-backed Hezbollah at a position that was held by the group in the Khraibeh Valley in el-Meri in south Lebanon on August 27, 2025. (AFP)

Israel on Thursday voiced skepticism over the Lebanese Army’s announcement that its plan to seize weapons from southern Lebanon has reached an advanced stage, calling the effort insufficient.

The reaction came even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as an “encouraging beginning,” while reiterating accusations that Hezbollah is rearming with Iranian support.

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the efforts by the Lebanese government and army to disarm Hezbollah amount to “a promising start, but absolutely not enough.”

It accused the group of attempting to rebuild its military infrastructure with backing from Iran, stressing that the US-brokered ceasefire agreement clearly calls for Hezbollah’s complete disarmament.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry echoed this skepticism, saying Hezbollah’s military infrastructure south of the Litani River remains intact and that the goal of disarming the group in southern Lebanon “is still far from being achieved.”

The ministry described the Lebanese Army’s efforts as limited, repeating claims that Hezbollah continues to rearm with Iranian assistance.

The Israeli security establishment adopted a sharper tone. Army Radio quoted military sources as saying statements by the Lebanese Army about disarmament in the south “do not reflect reality on the ground,” asserting that Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure are still present south of the Litani.

A military source told Haaretz that Israel’s assessment of the disarmament process “is not based on declarations, but on data and operational results,” adding that as long as Hezbollah’s military structures remain in place, there can be no talk of genuine disarmament.

Yedioth Ahronoth, citing military sources, reported that the Lebanese announcement had been expected and that Israel is inclined to reject claims that the area south of the Litani has been effectively disarmed.

According to the paper, the Israeli army believes Hezbollah still maintains combat capabilities there, describing the Lebanese Army’s performance as slow and partial, despite reaching sites where it was tasked with collecting Hezbollah weapons.

Lebanese parliamentary sources said Israel’s skeptical stance comes as no surprise. MP Mohammed Khawaja, of the Development and Liberation bloc, warned that Israeli threats against Lebanon “have not stopped and continue through its media,” stressing that the danger is aimed at all Lebanese, not a specific group or faction.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khawaja said Israel is openly threatening the region and that Lebanon has long been part of its ambitions.

MP Waddah Al-Sadek said Netanyahu’s recent remarks suggest that, from Israel’s perspective, the continuation of the ceasefire is now conditional on Hezbollah’s full disarmament.

He argued that Israel’s description of Lebanese efforts as encouraging but inadequate may be a sign that an escalation could happen in the future despite assurances from Lebanon’s leaders and army command of their commitment to the ceasefire.

In Israel’s view, he said, such commitments are meaningless without concrete measures and a clear timetable for disarmament, conditions that risk providing Israel with justification for further escalation.

Arab World

Chinese Envoy Visited Israel and Ramallah This Week, Ministry Says

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a meeting with Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (not pictured), in Budapest, Hungary, October 27, 2025. (Reuters)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a meeting with Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (not pictured), in Budapest, Hungary, October 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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Chinese Envoy Visited Israel and Ramallah This Week, Ministry Says

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a meeting with Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (not pictured), in Budapest, Hungary, October 27, 2025. (Reuters)
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a meeting with Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto (not pictured), in Budapest, Hungary, October 27, 2025. (Reuters)

A Chinese envoy visited Israel and Ramallah ​this week and met senior officials from both sides, China's foreign ministry said in statements on ‌Friday.

Zhai Jun, ‌special ‌envoy ⁠of ​the ‌Chinese government on the Middle East issue, was in Israel from Tuesday to Thursday and held talks ⁠with Israeli officials ‌including Foreign Minister Gideon ‍Saar ‍and "exchanged views on ‍regional hot issues".

In a separate statement, the ministry said Zhai ​also visited Ramallah in the West Bank ⁠on Wednesday and held a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in which they discussed China-Palestinian relations and the Palestinian issue.