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Talks to Be Held in Rome This Week on Future of UN Forces
Aoun says 86 MPs back keeping UNIFIL and warns a replacement force may be needed if the U.N. mandate is not renewed.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun advocated for extending the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon mandate Tuesday, citing its importance for stability in the South amid ongoing Israeli attacks.
Humanitarian conditions have deteriorated sharply since the June ceasefire collapse, with Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reporting at least 4,335 deaths and 12,277 injuries as of August 10.
A parliamentary delegation of 20 MPs led by Melhem Khalaf presented a petition signed by 86 members to the U.N. Security Council, arguing the "persistence of aggressions" justifies maintaining UNIFIL's powers.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed he informed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of Lebanon's position, with Guterres expressing understanding about maintaining an international force in the South.
The Security Council holds closed-door consultations today to hear from Mohammad Khaled Khiari, assistant secretary-general for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, as Western powers work to establish a backup multinational force.