Beirut, Aug. 17 (SANA)Lebanese PresidentJoseph Aounon Monday expressed support for extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), saying its presence in southern Lebanon helps residents remain in their villages and strengthens stability through coordination with the Lebanese army.

The Lebanese presidency quoted Aoun as saying on X during a meeting with a parliamentary delegation that Lebanon’s first choice was to renewUNIFIL’s mandate.

“If the mandate is not extended, Lebanon would seek an alternative arrangement that ensures the continued presence ofinternational forcesin the south within an appropriate legal framework,” he added.

Aoun stressed that any international force should operate alongside and in coordination with theLebanese armyto support stability and carry out its assigned duties.

He noted that Israel has opposed UNIFIL’s presence and pressed for its withdrawal for nearly a year, while Lebanon has called for the force to remain.

“The central objective is to achieve a breakthrough that ensures a continued international presence in the south, either by extending UNIFIL’s mandate or establishing a complementary international force, in a way that preserves stability and strengthens the role of the state and the Lebanese army,” he said.

UNIFIL has operated in southern Lebanon since 1978 and comprises more than 7,000 troops from 47 countries. Its current mandate expires at the end of December under aUN Security Council resolutionadopted in August 2025.