Minister of Defense Michel Menassa (on the left) with U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, in Yarze, on June 19, 2025. (Credit: Lebanese Ministry of Defense X account)
BEIRUT — The United Nations is ramping up efforts to ensure the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is renewed, according to statements made by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, during a meeting with Minister of Defense Michel Menassa in Yarzé on Thursday.
During this meeting, held in the presence of UNIFIL commander General Aroldo Lázaro, the Lebanese minister emphasized "the importance of preserving UNIFIL's role in maintaining security and stability," reaffirming "the Lebanese state's total commitment to U.N. Resolution 1701," according to a statement shared on the ministry's X account.
Menassa gave the Defense Ministry's insignia to General Lázaro, whose mission ends early next week, "as a sign of recognition for his role and cooperation during his mandate."
Lacroix had met several senior Lebanese officials since arriving in Beirut on Wednesday, including President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Palace, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail, as well as Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri in Ain al-Tineh.
Aoun told the U.N. official on Wednesday that Lebanon is committed to maintaining UNIFIL in South Lebanon and to implementing Resolution 1701 in coordination with the Lebanese Army, the the sake of stability of southern Lebanon, which "has become crucial not only for Lebanon but for the entire region."
In a few weeks' time, the U.N. will be holding a debate on the renewal or cancellation of UNIFIL's mandate, a yearly process.
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, stipulates the creation of a strengthened UNIFIL in South Lebanon. This same resolution was again the basis for the cease-fire agreement reached on Nov. 27, 2024, between the same parties, but this time the international community insists on implementing another of its provisions, related to the monopoly of weapons by the Lebanese state, which de facto implies the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Recent weeks have seen several clashes break out between residents of certain southern villages and UNIFIL patrols, which were accused of moving into villages and onto private property without coordinating with the army.
While some interpreted these clashes as covert attempts by Hezbollah to push back at expanded UNIFIL presence in a region where the party has long maintained significant control, the head of its political bloc, Mohammad Raad, release a statement on June 11, saying Hezbollah "supports the Lebanese state's position in favor of the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate."