France, Italy Plan to Form Post-UNIFIL Coalition for Lebanon

Paris: France and Italy have agreed to establish a multinational coalition to support Lebanon after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends its mission in December, said French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, as reported by Xinhua.

Macron made the statement at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was on a visit to the southern French city of Antibes.

“We want to launch a coalition for the post-UNIFIL arrangement, certainly in coordination with the European Union and the United Nations, to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty and its armed forces,” said Macron.

He added that the initiative aims to help prevent Lebanese territory from becoming a source of regional tension and escalating conflict.

Meloni echoed Macron’s statement, saying it is important to ensure an international presence in Lebanon to avoid a security vacuum that would be “very dangerous.”

In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2790, UNIFIL will cease its operations on 31 December, and, effective from that date, will complete the withdrawal and repatriation of its personnel from Lebanon within one year.

Bernama – Xinhua