The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has submitted to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, via Lebanon's Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, requesting the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for another year.

The UNIFIL’s mandate ends on August 31, 2024. The UN Security Council is expected to convene before that date to vote on a draft resolution on the extension of the UNIFIL’s mandate.

According to the National News Agency, the letter expressed Lebanon's appreciation for the role of the peacekeeping forces in the south and reaffirmed Lebanon's commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Originally, UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area. 

Following the July/August 2006 war, the Council enhanced the Force and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.