The mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which is supported by hundreds of Irish troops, has been extended through 2026, but is set to be wound down the following year.
In a vote on Thursday, the 15-member UN Security Council, of which Ireland is not currently a member, voted unanimously to extend UNIFIL until the end of 2026, after which the mission will begin a one-year withdrawal.
UNIFIL, active since 1978, monitors Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. Its current mandate expires August 31.
The US, with support from Israel, had been pushing for UNIFIL to be wound down within a year.
Following a compromise with the US, the Security Council is expected to adopt a French-drafted resolution that calls on UNIFIL to cease operations by December 31, 2026, and start a coordinated withdrawal, leaving Lebanon fully in charge of southern security.
As of August 1, 2025, UNIFIL's force consists of a total of 10,509 peacekeepers from 47 troop-contributing countries, including 348 troops from Ireland.
The UN Security Council has unanimously backed a resolution to extend the mandate of the @UNPeacekeeping force in Lebanon, @UNIFIL_ for a final time, until 31 December 2026 pic.twitter.com/pq8UwcZtKN
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) August 28, 2025
Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Harris said on social media on Thursday that he welcomes the unanimous renewal of the UNIFIL mandate, as well as "the intensive diplomatic efforts to arrive at this point."
In a statement on social media after the Security Council's vote, Harris thanked his international colleagues, paying a special nod to his French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot.
"An important day for diplomacy, collaboration and peacekeeping," the Tánaiste said before expressing his gratitude and respect to the people of the Irish Defence Forces.
I welcome the unanimous renewal of the UNIFIL mandate and the intensive diplomatic efforts to arrive at this point. Grateful to all international colleagues and particularly to my French colleague @jnbarrot. An important day for diplomacy, collaboration and peacekeeping pic.twitter.com/ixT3dE5umv
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) August 28, 2025
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Diplomatic efforts
Speaking separately on RTÉ Radio 1 following Thursday's vote, Harris discussed the diplomatic efforts that helped result in the US compromise.
"We did have constructive engagement with the US," he remarked.
"I think we saw the benefit of countries working together - of France, of Austria, of Ireland, of Italy, of Lebanon itself, and indeed of UNIFIL officials - in saying to our American counterparts, 'Yes, you have a perspective, but it would be an extraordinarily dangerous situation to have an abrupt end, an abrupt cliff edge, to a peacekeeping mission in a very volatile part of the world.'"
After noting that Lebanon has a relatively new government that is committed to disarming Hezbollah and giving its citizens a new start, the Tánaiste added: "The idea that we, the international community, the peacekeepers of the world, would walk away at this moment would have been wholly, wholly irresponsible.
"So I think the diplomatic campaign has gotten us to a much improved situation.
"If they say a week is a long time in politics, trying to predict with certainty where we'll be by the middle or end of 2027 is a very, very challenging thing to do."
Last month, the Tánaiste discussed UNIFIL in calls with the UN Under Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean Pierre LaCroix, Foreign Minister of Italy, Antonio Taranji, and Foreign Minister of Lebanon, Youssef Raggi.
The calls, the Tánaiste said, "were an important opportunity to express Ireland’s strong commitment to UNIFIL and share perspectives on the upcoming renewal of its mandate.
“Since 1978, participation in UNIFIL has been a key demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to international peacekeeping. I remain exceptionally proud of the Defence Forces members serving in UNIFIL and the contribution they make every day.
“It is clear to me, including through my visit in March this year, that UNIFIL continues to play a vital role in ensuring stability and security.
“Ireland remains committed to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon, including through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate in the coming weeks."
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