Do we bid farewell to “UNIFIL”? An upcoming American withdrawal threatening the stability of southern Lebanon
In a disturbing development, a change in the rules of the game in southern Lebanon, a newspaper revealed Times of IsraelAccording to American sources, that The United States is seriously considering ending its support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon “UNIFIL”What opens the door to dangerous security and political scenarios in a sensitive area that is witnessing chronic tension.
America threatens … and canceling the table
According to the newspaper, the newspaper The American administration has not made a final decision yet On the fate of her support for “UNIFIL”, but she insists on “major reforms”, and if these demands are not fulfilled, it may mean that Venial withdrawal from financial and political support Washington has been afflicted with this international force for years.
It is known that the mandate of UNIFIL is renewed annually under a decision UN Security CouncilWhich means that the United States It has a veto paper You can use it to obstruct the expected renewal next August.
A supportive Israeli position … and a common movement with Washington
As for a newspaper Jerusalem Post I went further, confirming that The United States has already decided to vote against the extension of the “UNIFIL” mandate. The newspaper added that there An American -Israeli consensus On the necessity of ending the mission of these forces in southern Lebanon, which raises real fears of A security vacuum It may cause the situation to explode at any moment.
UNIFIL spokesman warns: a dangerous escalation that threatens stability
In a direct response to the recent Israeli escalation, the official spokesman for the UNIFIL forces stressed, Andrea Tintentethat The recent Israeli raids on the southern suburb are a serious developmentNot only because it violates Lebanese sovereignty and Security Council Resolution 1701, but because it is It threatens fragile stability in the southAnd that swings since the signing of the agreement to stop hostilities in 2006.
Tentei also confirmed that The continued escalation may lead to a very serious deterioration of the security situationEspecially since the southern Lebanese suffers from A continuous dispute for more than 15 monthsIn the absence of a political horizon for solutions.
What does the absence of “UNIFIL” mean from the south?
If the United States withdraws from the support of “UNIFIL”, whether by stopping financing or using the veto to disrupt the extension, this will lead to two possibilities:
- UNIFIL’s ability to reduce dramatically To carry out its duties, especially monitoring and mediation between the Lebanese army and the Israeli army.
- A gradual or complete withdrawal for the international forces From the south, which raises the level of tension and gives way to any clash that can turn into a total war.
Observers fear that this development will lead to Reinstall the rules of engagementPerhaps The door was opened for an Israeli military escalation Under the absence of international monitoring.
Southern Lebanon is at a dangerous junction
What is happening today on the international scene towards the “UNIFIL” forces is More than just a diplomatic dispute. It is a strategic shift that may return southern Lebanon to the square of danger and explosion. The American withdrawal from the support of UNIFIL or the disruption of its work is not only threatening fragile stability, but it also exposes Lebanon to great dangers in light of the internal collapse and the sharp political division.
In this context, it seems that the Lebanese state must It moves quickly through diplomatic channels And activating the dialogue with the United Nations and the countries concerned, to avoid a security vacuum that Lebanon may not tolerate at this critical stage.
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