Paris, June 4 (SANA) French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Wednesday called on European countries to assist France in safeguarding security in Lebanon following the planned withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026, amid concerns over a possible security vacuum.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Lecornu told the French National Assembly that France is currently presenting military options that could serve as the basis for a new mandate, including the possible establishment of a stabilization force to prevent a security gap in southern Lebanon.
He proposed a force of between 2,000 and 5,500 personnel, saying the initiative would be coordinated with European partners. He urged European countries to take a more active role on the ground in supporting Lebanon’s security.
Lecornu also pledged to increase humanitarian assistance to Lebanon by two to three times over the coming weeks, and called on Israel to end the war in Lebanon as well as its “unlawful occupation.”
The French initiative comes after UN Secretary-General António Guterres recommended on Monday the continuation of international forces in the area. Italy, France and Spain, among the largest contributors to UNIFIL, have also expressed support for maintaining an international presence in Lebanon.
F.J./R.K.
