UN Security Council extends mandate of peacekeeping mission in Lebanon

NEW YORK: The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Wednesday to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until August 31, 2025.

By adopting resolution 2749, the Security Council also demanded the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and urged all relevant actors to implement immediate measures toward de-escalation — including those aimed at restoring calm, restraint and stability across the Blue Line.

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The council also encouraged the UN secretary-general to ensure that UNIFIL remains ready to adapt its activities to support de-escalation, and requested continued reporting on the implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) every four months.

After the vote, Geng Shuang, deputy permanent representative of China to the United Nations, said China welcomed the decision made by the Security Council.

“The resolution adopted just now reaffirms the Security Council’s definite political commitment to supporting a full cessation of hostilities and achieving a permanent ceasefire, and sends a clear political signal of calling for stopping violence cycle and for peace and stability.

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In the context that the Lebanon-Israel tension is continuously escalating, this resolution is particularly necessary and important. We look forward to all parties in the conflict earnestly adhering to the resolution, halting hostilities, and restarting dialog at an early date, so as to make efforts to achieve lasting peace,” said Geng.

Geng stressed that China is ready to work with the international community to continuously support the UNIFIL in performing its missions.

UNIFIL was originally created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area.

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After the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and to accompany the deployment of Lebanese armed forces throughout southern Lebanon as Israel withdraws its troops.

According to UNIFIL, the force has around 10,500 peacekeepers coming from 48 troop contributing countries.