European, Arab Officials Meet in Paris to Discuss UNIFIL Replacement

European and Arab political and military officials are meeting in Paris today (Thursday) to discuss the future of southern Lebanon as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon prepares to begin drawing down early next year.

French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Jordan’s King Abdullah are expected to open the talks. A senior US military official involved in Middle East security will also attend, although the meeting is separate from ongoing US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

The immediate question is how to prevent a security vacuum after UNIFIL begins reducing its presence in January. The force currently has around 7,500 personnel deployed in Lebanon.

France and Italy are backing discussions over a possible new international mission operating outside a UN mandate. Officials will also consider an alternative European Union-led mission. Under both proposals, foreign personnel would focus on training, equipment, intelligence sharing and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces rather than replacing them directly.

The discussions come as Israel and Lebanon continue US-mediated talks aimed at reducing tensions along the border. Under a framework reached during those negotiations, Israeli forces would gradually withdraw while Lebanese authorities deploy across the south and disarm Hezbollah.

Lebanon and France have supported extending UNIFIL’s mandate. However, neither Israel nor the United States has backed keeping the mission in its current form. Both have criticized UNIFIL’s record in implementing UN Security Council requirements concerning Hezbollah’s military presence in southern Lebanon.

Officials in Paris are also expected to assess the Lebanese army’s financial and military needs ahead of a possible donor conference later this year or in early 2027.

The exact structure and mandate of any replacement force remain undecided. French officials said talks will need to determine what Lebanon is prepared to accept and what international partners are willing to provide.