Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2790 (2025), Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
Meetings Coverage
Security Council
9989th Meeting (PM)
SC/16159
28 August 2025
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), for a final time until 31 December 2026, and decided that it should start an orderly and safe drawdown and withdrawal from that date.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2790 (2025) (to be issued as document S/RES/2790(2025)), the Council also demanded the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006), reiterated its strong support for full respect for the Blue Line and welcomed the November 2024 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon.
In further terms, the 15-member organ, noting with grave concerns the continuous violations of this arrangement, including air and drone strikes on Lebanese territory, called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law.
It called on the Government of Israel to withdraw its forces north of the Blue Line, including from the five positions held in Lebanese territory, and called on the Lebanese authorities to deploy on these positions with the timebound support of UNIFIL, and to extend the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with relevant resolutions and accords, so that as soon as possible there will be no weapons besides those of and no authority other than that of the Government of Lebanon.
International Community Must Support Lebanon in Establishing Its Authority
In the ensuing discussion, that country's delegate welcomed the mandate renewal, while adding: "Lebanon still considers UNIFILS's presence as essential to guarantee security" in the country and region, until a comprehensive political solution is reached. Stressing the importance of the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from his country's territory, he said the international community must support his Government in establishing its authority.
The continued Israeli targeting of Lebanon, including its infrastructure and civilians, and the prevention of displaced persons from returning to their homes violates international law, he said — despite this, his Government has taken steps to assert full State authority over its territory. He called on the Council to uphold its legal responsibility and hold Israel accountable for its violations; further, those countries that are guaranteeing the cessation of hostilities arrangement must compel Israel to respect it. He also called on the UN and its agencies to provide comprehensive support to the Lebanese army and institutions, both bilaterally and multilaterally.
On the other hand, the representative of Israel said that "UNIFIL has failed in its mandate". Its presence has not prevented Hizbullah from "building one of the world's most dangerous arsenals", overlooking vast military buildup discovered across southern Lebanon — "some alarmingly close to UNIFIL positions". In its annual reporting, UNIFIL rarely names Hizbullah "and frequently downplays its activities", he stated.
"Israel will continue to do whatever is necessary to defend its people", with the Israel Defense Forces maintaining presence at five strategic locations along the Blue Line, he stressed. The Council has "ignored the root cause", he said, calling on it to hold Iran accountable for "its unspeakable war crimes". He stressed the need for a new course that empowers the Lebanese State, holds Hizbullah and Iran to account and restores the authority of Council resolutions. "After 47 years of what was meant to be an interim presence", UNIFIL is concluding its mandate on the border between Israel and Lebanon — this is a "decisive moment for Lebanon, Israel and the region", he stressed.
Along similar lines, the delegate of the United States said that "the first 'I' in UNIFIL stands for interim". The time has come for UNIFIL's mission to end, she said, adding that this is the last time her delegation will support an extension. "The security environment in Lebanon is radically different" from what it was one year ago, she added, and there is now space for Lebanon to assume greater responsibility. Her country will support Lebanon's efforts to assume its security responsibilities, she said, voicing support for Israel's right to defend itself.
Mission Should Not Withdraw in Haste while Situation Remains Tense
Despite voting in favour, several delegates expressed reservations. Algeria's delegate, who noted that UNIFIL was created in 1978 to observe and confirm Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon, said: "Has UNIFIL fulfilled its mandate? Clearly the answer is no." Lebanese land remains under Israeli occupation, he said, highlighting Israel's many violations of international law. The Council must be ready to revisit this resolution considering future developments, he said, regretting that his delegation's request to refer to the 1949 General Armistice Agreement was not retained. China's delegate regretted that "the stubborn insistence of a permanent member" has resulted in the last renewal of UNIFIL's mandate. No mission should withdraw in haste while the situation remains tense, he added.
The Russian Federation's delegate said the interests of the Lebanese were not fully reflected in this text and warned that it should not create a "security vacuum" in southern Lebanon.
For the United Kingdom, that country's delegate said, it was "disappointing that despite the best efforts of the penholder", the 15-member organ was unable "to make this significant decision on the basis of an evidence-based assessment of the impact of UNIFIL's withdrawal". Pakistan's delegate reminded delegates that Lebanon did not request the withdrawal of UNIFIL.
The representative of Greece added: "While in principle we believe that the ending of the mandate should have been condition-based and the text is not ideal, we stress that UNIFIL's transition needs to be safe and orderly in close coordination with the host country."
Mandate Renewal Helps Lebanon Prepare to Reassert Territorial Control
France's delegate, who sponsored today's resolution, said a premature withdrawal could undermine Beirut's efforts. However, he added, "the precious time" afforded by the mandate renewal will be crucial for Lebanon's Government to assume its authority over its territory. The representative of the Republic of Korea, a troop-contributor to UNIFIL, highlighted "the Lebanese Government's sheer will to rise as the sole guarantor of its national security, which gave us confidence to vote in favour of this resolution". Also welcoming the text were the representatives of Denmark, Slovenia and Somalia, with the latter calling on Israel to cease its daily air and drone strikes.
The representative of Panama, Security Council president for August, speaking in his national capacity, voiced strong support for UNIFIL's peacekeeping personnel, whose presence has "contributed significantly to helping the Lebanese armed forces establish safer conditions for civilians. Looking towards the last stage of the Force's work, he expressed trust that conditions in southern Lebanon "will positively evolve towards lasting stability".
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