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Italian Forces to Continue Operating in Southern Lebanon
(MENAFN) Italian troops will continue operating in southern Lebanon even after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) concludes its mandate, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Monday, signaling Rome’s intent to maintain a long-term security role in the region.
Speaking in Beirut during talks with Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Crosetto confirmed that Italy would sustain its engagement through both multilateral and bilateral frameworks. “We will guarantee our presence in multilateral and bilateral contexts, including through participation in MCT4L (Military Technical Committee for Lebanon) and the MIBIL mission (Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon),” Crosetto said, according to a statement from the Italian Defense Ministry.
“We believe that multinational support remains the most effective solution in crisis areas.”
The Lebanese presidency separately confirmed Italy’s intention to keep forces deployed in southern Lebanon following a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Crosetto, held amid growing questions about the future of UNIFIL.
According to the statement, Aoun expressed support for Italy and other European nations taking part in any mission that could succeed UNIFIL after its mandate expires on Dec. 31, 2026.
“We rely on friendly countries such as Italy to push toward the success of the negotiating process and reach positive outcomes,” he said.
UNIFIL has been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was substantially reinforced under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and the Hezbollah group.
Italy remains one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping force, providing 1,099 troops out of a total 9,923 personnel. The mission is tasked with overseeing the cessation of hostilities and assisting the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 following more than a year of cross-border attacks linked to the war in Gaza. The conflict left more than 4,000 people dead and 17,000 injured.
As part of the truce, Israeli forces were expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in January. However, the pullout has been only partial, with Israeli troops still stationed at five military outposts along the border.
Speaking in Beirut during talks with Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Crosetto confirmed that Italy would sustain its engagement through both multilateral and bilateral frameworks. “We will guarantee our presence in multilateral and bilateral contexts, including through participation in MCT4L (Military Technical Committee for Lebanon) and the MIBIL mission (Italian Bilateral Military Mission in Lebanon),” Crosetto said, according to a statement from the Italian Defense Ministry.
“We believe that multinational support remains the most effective solution in crisis areas.”
The Lebanese presidency separately confirmed Italy’s intention to keep forces deployed in southern Lebanon following a meeting between President Joseph Aoun and Crosetto, held amid growing questions about the future of UNIFIL.
According to the statement, Aoun expressed support for Italy and other European nations taking part in any mission that could succeed UNIFIL after its mandate expires on Dec. 31, 2026.
“We rely on friendly countries such as Italy to push toward the success of the negotiating process and reach positive outcomes,” he said.
UNIFIL has been stationed in southern Lebanon since 1978 and was substantially reinforced under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 after the 2006 war between Israel and the Hezbollah group.
Italy remains one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping force, providing 1,099 troops out of a total 9,923 personnel. The mission is tasked with overseeing the cessation of hostilities and assisting the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024 following more than a year of cross-border attacks linked to the war in Gaza. The conflict left more than 4,000 people dead and 17,000 injured.
As part of the truce, Israeli forces were expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon in January. However, the pullout has been only partial, with Israeli troops still stationed at five military outposts along the border.
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