Paris Talks Aim to Shape Post-UNIFIL Support for Lebanon’s Army

On Sept 17 2026 senior European and Arab military leaders met in Paris to assess Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) needs ahead of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) withdrawal. The session was chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, with a senior U.S. military official in attendance.

Paris Meeting: UNIFIL Post-Deployment Security Plans EuronewsThe Straits TimesFrance 24

UNIFIL’s mandate, created in 1978, ends on Dec 31 2026, followed by a drawdown. The exit raises concerns of a security vacuum in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces occupy about 6 % of Lebanese territory and clashes with Hezbollah continue. A U.S.-mediated framework proposes Israeli pull-back in exchange for Lebanese disarmament of Hezbollah and LAF deployment, but neither the United States nor Israel backs extending UNIFIL. France and Italy plan to lead a new multinational coalition, and the EU is weighing a civilian-military mission. A donor conference, postponed from February, is now slated for late 2026 or early 2027.

EuronewsParis Meeting: UNIFIL Post-Deployment Security Plans The Straits TimesFrance 24

• Emmanuel Macron – President of France, host.

The Straits Times

• Joseph Aoun – President of Lebanon, seeks a temporary force.

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• Abdullah II – King of Jordan, participant.

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• Senior U.S. military official – Middle-East security representative.

Paris Meeting: UNIFIL Post-Deployment Security Plans

• French presidency official – Commented on undefined mission modalities.

The Straits Times

• Karim Émile Bitar – IRIS associate research fellow.

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• Kaja Kallas – EU Foreign Policy Chief, noted EU state interest.

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• Sept 1 2026 – Kaja Kallas reported over ten EU states ready to provide staff and assets for a new mission.

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• Sept 17 2026 – Paris meeting convened.

France 24

• Dec 31 2026 – UNIFIL’s mandate ends, beginning a drawdown of roughly 7,500 peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries.

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• UNIFIL fields about 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 nations.

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• Recent Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 13 people, including six children (Lebanon’s Health Ministry).

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• Hezbollah’s arsenal exceeds the LAF’s capacity; the army lacks sufficient logistical, financial, and political resources.

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A French presidency official said the specifics of any new international presence remain undefined because Lebanese requests have not aligned with U.S. Security Council demands.

The Straits Times

President Joseph Aoun told AFP he welcomes any temporary force until the LAF can assume full responsibility and reiterated that extending UNIFIL remains the optimal solution.

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Karim Émile Bitar called Hezbollah’s disarmament “an impossible task” for the LAF, citing resource shortfalls and the army’s cross-community nature.

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EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas confirmed more than ten EU states are ready to supply personnel and resources for a civilian-military mission, emphasizing the EU does not intend to replace UNIFIL but to boost Lebanon’s self-security capacity.

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Sources differ on the donor conference timing: some cite the original February schedule, others expect late 2026 or early 2027. France and Lebanon favor extending UNIFIL, while the United States and Israel have not signaled support, leaving a consensus gap on the post-mandate framework.

Euronews

A donor conference in late 2026 or early 2027 will aim to fund the LAF. Ongoing talks will refine a new multinational or EU-led mission, define its mandate, and coordinate with the United States and regional partners to address the anticipated security vacuum after UNIFIL’s withdrawal.

Euronews