UNITED NATIONS: The blue helmet peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon, which has encountered resistance from the US and Israel, will go up for a vote by the UN Security Council on Thursday.
Since 1978, about 10,800 peacekeepers have served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon. However, Israel and its American ally are opposing this year’s routine renewal of their mandate, which ends on Sunday, and want them to withdraw.
While it prepares to evacuate, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) would remain in place until the end of next year, according to a compromise proposed by France and being discussed by the Council.
However, in light of a potential US veto, a number of recommendations, and a vote postponement on Monday, the most recent draft resolution that AFP has seen clearly sets the mission’s termination date at 16 months.
According to the text, the Council “decides to start an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal from 31 December 2026 and within one year, and to extend for a final time the mandate of UNIFIL as set out by resolution 1701 (2006) until 31 December 2026. It was unclear what the US position would be on Thursday, even after US ambassador Tom Barrack stated Tuesday that Washington would agree a one-year extension.
Also Read:
Adeera of PIF Will Manage The Hotel Portfolio in Qiddiya City
Following Trump’s Remarks, Russia Calls For Prudence in Nuclear “Rhetoric
