• The UN Security Council is debating a resolution on the future of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
• Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasizes the importance of UNIFIL for national stability amid ongoing tensions with Israel and Hezbollah.
• Israel and the U.S. are reportedly opposing the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate, calling for its termination.

The United Nations Security Council commenced discussions on a French-drafted resolution aimed at extending the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) while indicating a future withdrawal. This operation has patrolled the southern border since 1978, and its current mandate is set to expire on August 31. The draft suggests that withdrawal could only occur if the Lebanese government becomes the sole security provider in the region, contingent on a comprehensive political arrangement among involved parties, according to Reuters and trtglobal.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has expressed strong opposition to the potential cessation of UNIFIL's mandate, citing ongoing Israeli occupation as a reason for its continued presence. He emphasized the need for collaboration between UNIFIL, the Lebanese army, and local residents to maintain regional stability, as echoed in his remarks during a meeting with UNIFIL Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara. Aoun called for the mission's extension to support local forces, particularly as Hezbollah remains a contentious issue in southern Lebanon, according to aa and trtglobal.

Conversely, Israel has formally requested the U.S. to advocate for the termination of UNIFIL, asserting it has failed to prevent Hezbollah's presence near its borders. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized UNIFIL for not accurately reflecting the realities of the situation in its reports and suggested replacing the peacekeeping force with the Lebanese army. This request follows a series of military operations that continued post a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah, indicating a complex narrative surrounding regional security, according to aa.

As discussions progress, the Security Council is expected to vote on the extension of UNIFIL's mandate by August 25. The draft resolution's future hangs in the balance amid varied international interests, with the U.S. and Israel opposing the extension, while Lebanon pushes for its continuation to ensure peace in the troubled region, as stated by multiple sources Reuters, trtglobal, and aa.