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Lebanon Awaits UNIFIL Extension Draft, Seeks No Amendments

A UNIFIL patrol in the town of Barj al-Muluk in southern Lebanon (DPA)
A UNIFIL patrol in the town of Barj al-Muluk in southern Lebanon (DPA)
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Lebanon Awaits UNIFIL Extension Draft, Seeks No Amendments

A UNIFIL patrol in the town of Barj al-Muluk in southern Lebanon (DPA)
A UNIFIL patrol in the town of Barj al-Muluk in southern Lebanon (DPA)

Lebanon is awaiting a draft resolution from France to extend the UN peacekeeping mission in the south (UNIFIL) without changes, amid talks with key international powers to support its request for an extension.

The UN Security Council is expected to renew UNIFIL’s mandate in late August, as it has annually since Resolution 1701 was adopted in 2006 after a 33-day war between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanon wants the extension without amendments, while Israel seeks more powers for the peacekeepers, including access to restricted areas in southern Lebanon.

Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, currently in New York, has held numerous meetings with key stakeholders regarding Lebanese affairs.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said Lebanon is awaiting a draft resolution prepared by France, the penholder on this issue.

France usually drafts the resolution and presents it to the UN Security Council (UNSC), which sometimes makes changes.

In 2022, for example, the UNSC allowed UNIFIL to operate without coordinating with the Lebanese Army, which led to criticism.

In 2023, Lebanon opposed this change, arguing it did not reflect the need for UNIFIL to work with the Lebanese government and military as required by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Recently, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri met with Russian Special Envoy Vladimir Safronkov to discuss Lebanon and regional issues, including Israeli actions in Lebanon and Gaza.

As Lebanon negotiates the extension of UNIFIL’s mandate, it has not yet received any international messages about potential amendments, despite reports of Israeli demands that Lebanon opposes.

This extension comes amid ongoing conflict that began on Oct. 8, when Hezbollah started supporting Gaza from southern Lebanon.

Retired Lebanese Army Gen. Abdul Rahman Shehaitly, former head of Lebanon's delegation to the Tripartite Committee (Lebanon, Israel, and UNIFIL), views international acceptance of the UNIFIL extension as a “very positive development amid the ongoing war.”

He explained that it signals no expansion of the conflict and underscores that stability in the south remains a priority for the participating countries.

He added that the mere presence of UNIFIL and the lack of any withdrawals “provides assurances that the conflict will not escalate.”

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Arab World

Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
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Iraq Preoccupied with Potential Broad Israeli Attack

Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shi al-Sudani at an emergency national security council meeting. (Iraqi government)

Baghdad has been preoccupied this week with serious possibilities that Israel may expand its war on Gaza and Lebanon by striking several targets in Iraq in retaliation to attacks by Iran-backed armed factions.

Concern has been high that Israel may attack government buildings, oil fields and strategic locations, not just the positions of the armed factions that have previously launched attacks against Israel, said sources close to the pro-Iran ruling Coordination Framework.

Media sources have spoken of government speculation that Iraq could come under “300 Israeli attacks”.

The fears in Iraq have been compounded by an Israeli complaint to the United Nations Security Council against seven armed factions and holding Baghdad responsible for the attacks they have carried out against it.

This prompted the government, through the foreign ministry, to send an official letter to the Security Council, UN Secretary-General, Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation in response to the Israeli threats.

The ministry said on Saturday that Iraq is “the cornerstone of stability in the region and world and it is one of the countries that are most committed to the UN Charter.”

“The Zionist entity’s letter to the Security Council is part of a systematic policy aimed at creating claims and excuses in an attempt to expand the conflict in the region.”

It said Iraq has turned to the Security Council out of Iraq’s keenness on the international body carrying out its duty in maintaining international peace and security and the need to rein in the “Zionist aggression in Gaza and Lebanon.”

Moreover, it stressed that Iraq has been keen on exercising restraint when it comes to the use of its airspace to attack a neighboring country.

Israel has used Iraqi airspace to launch attacks against Iran in October.

Iraq underscored the importance of the international community stepping in to “stop this hostile behavior that is a flagrant violation of international law.”

It called for international efforts to stop the Israeli escalation in the region and ensure that international laws and treaties are respected to consolidate security and stability.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Coordination Framework said the main Shiite parties are taking the Israeli threats “very seriously”, urging Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government to take “all the necessary measures to avert a potential Israeli strike.”

All leaders of armed factions, as well as Shiite leaders, have taken up alternative locations and are moving under great secrecy, confirming that they have changed the majority of their military positions, said the source.

It also dismissed claims that Israeli jets have overflown Iraq, saying nothing has been confirmed, but not ruling out the possibility, especially since US forces have control over Iraqi skies and Iraq is helpless against stopping these violations.

Iraq had submitted a formal complaint to the UN and Security Council over Israel’s use and violation of its airspace to attack Iran.

Analyst and former diplomat Ghazi Faisal said the pro-Iran armed factions have been gathering their forces in the Sinjar province, which is strategic for Iran’s arms deliveries and logistic support to Syria where attacks can be carried out against American forces and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Sinjar is one of the most important strategic bases for the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, he added.

Furthermore, he noted that the armed factions insist on continuing the war against Israel, rejecting government calls for calm and neutrality.

The government’s statements are aimed at delivering a message that it “is not directly responsible for the strategy of these factions,” which follow Iran’s policies.

Iraq has repeatedly said that it refuses for its territory to be used to attack another country, but some observers believe that it may allow Iran to do so should Israel strike.