France, Italy seek multinational coalition to support Lebanon after withdrawal

France and Italy have agreed to establish a multinational coalition to support Lebanon after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends its mission in December, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.



Macron made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the southern French city of Antibes.



"We want to launch a coalition for the post-UNIFIL arrangement, obviously in coordination with the European Union and the United Nations, to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and its armed forces," Macron said.



He added that the initiative is intended to help prevent Lebanese territory from becoming a source of further regional tensions and escalation.



Meloni echoed Macron's remarks, saying it is essential to ensure an international presence in Lebanon to avoid an "extremely dangerous" security vacuum.



In accordance with Security Council Resolution 2790, UNIFIL shall cease its operations on Dec. 31, and, starting on this date, complete its drawdown and withdrawal of personnel from Lebanon within one year.