Could European Forces Move Into the South After UNIFIL
12/22/2025 1:40:00 PM
President Joseph Aoun affirmed that Lebanon welcomes the participation of Italy and other European countries in any force that would replace UNIFIL after its withdrawal is completed in 2027.
Speaking to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Aoun said: “We rely on friendly countries such as Italy to push toward the success of the negotiation process and to reach positive results,” stressing that “the army is the backbone of ensuring stability, not only in Lebanon, but across the entire region.”
For his part, the Italian defense minister noted that Italy wishes to keep forces deployed south of the Litani River after UNIFIL’s withdrawal, adding that other European countries intend to take the same position.
He said: “We will work to achieve tangible results from the negotiations, as no one has an interest in the continuation of tension in the south, and Israel must realize this.”
Speaking to Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Aoun said: “We rely on friendly countries such as Italy to push toward the success of the negotiation process and to reach positive results,” stressing that “the army is the backbone of ensuring stability, not only in Lebanon, but across the entire region.”
For his part, the Italian defense minister noted that Italy wishes to keep forces deployed south of the Litani River after UNIFIL’s withdrawal, adding that other European countries intend to take the same position.
He said: “We will work to achieve tangible results from the negotiations, as no one has an interest in the continuation of tension in the south, and Israel must realize this.”