Lebanese parliament member Melhem Khalaf, who leads a parliamentary delegation, has called for an extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):

“Maintaining the presence of UNIFIL is vital to prevent any security vacuum in southern Lebanon, given its role in verifying Israel’s withdrawal, maintaining security and stability, and supporting the army in providing the state’s sovereignty.

“If extending UNIFIL’s mandate is not possible, a United Nations force must be maintained in southern Lebanon in any practical way possible.”