Could Chapter VII Be Enforced in Southern Lebanon? A Closer Look at the Implications
In recent developments, U.S. envoys Thomas Barrack and Morgan Ortagus have returned to Beirut, intensifying pressure on Lebanese officials while jeopardizing national peace. This heightened diplomatic activity coincides with the anticipated renewal of the UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon, which is set to be decided at the end of this month.
An informed source has indicated to Tehran Times that the United States and Israel have reached an agreement regarding the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate for a final one-year term. This decision is expected to carry an escalatory tone, as it will grant UNIFIL new powers under stringent conditions akin to those outlined in Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Such powers would enable UNIFIL to disarm the Resistance through various means, including:
- Conducting raids
- Arresting citizens
- Setting up checkpoints
Since the liberation of southern Lebanon in 2000, the Security Council has typically renewed UNIFIL’s mandate for only six months, initially scaling down its troop presence from approximately 11,000 to about 2,000. This troop count was later reinforced following Israel’s aggression in Lebanon in July 2006.
If the renewal occurs as planned by the end of next month, the expansion of UNIFIL’s powers—particularly regarding their freedom of movement without coordination with the Lebanese Army—could soon become a reality. This development comes at a time when the influence of U.S.-Saudi tutelage over southern Lebanon is intensifying, while Israeli occupation forces continue their daily attacks, which have become a routine occurrence.
The Lebanese government, led by Nawaf Salam, has failed to respond effectively to these provocations, and the committee overseeing the implementation of Resolution 1701 appears to be inactive. Since Italian General Diodato Abagnara took command of UNIFIL, there has been a noticeable absence of leadership on the ground. However, the French contingent has been notably active, conducting operations without coordination with the Lebanese Army.
Members of the French contingent frequently enter various valleys and forests south of the Litani River without army escorts, raising concerns regarding the nature of their mission and the extent of their powers. For instance, last week, French Chargé d’Affaires in Beirut, Bruno Pereira da Silva, met with Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji to discuss extending the UNIFIL mandate. Additionally, the Ceasefire Supervision Committee convened an emergency meeting—the first since June 26—following the Lebanese government’s decision to disarm the Resistance and the tragic explosion in Wadi Zebqin, which resulted in the deaths of six Lebanese Army soldiers.
During this meeting, the Lebanese Army did not receive satisfactory responses to its requests for a stronger presence at southern border posts. The Israeli army delegation maintained an arrogant stance, refusing to address the issue of its withdrawal from occupied and buffer zones or permitting the Lebanese Army to be deployed along the border. Reports indicate that the Israeli delegation stated that Tel Aviv “is not obligated to listen to any Lebanese demands until the Lebanese Army completes its plan to disarm Hezbollah.”
In light of this Israeli obstinacy, the Lebanese Army is facing increasing pressure from the Supervision Committee, which is primarily focused on dismantling Hezbollah’s facilities. The informed source has noted that there has been no official announcement regarding the arrival date of UNIFIL, which typically sends a technical delegation to evaluate the mission before each renewal.
During the meeting, the committee’s vice chair, French General Valentin Cellier, reiterated the French unit’s commitment to submitting a detailed report on its personnel’s actions in Zebqine to the Lebanese Army. However, there has been criticism from Washington and UNIFIL leadership towards Paris for conducting operations independently from the Naqoura command.
The martyrdom of six Lebanese soldiers on August 10 has further fueled public resentment toward UNIFIL, especially as its soldiers have been accused of placing Lebanese Army personnel in precarious situations. It is evident that the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate is intricately linked to the political and military developments in Lebanon, particularly following the Salam government’s endorsement of U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack’s plan to transfer Hezbollah’s weapons to the state according to a specific timeline.
As the situation continues to evolve, the implications of the renewed UNIFIL mandate and the actions of foreign forces in Lebanon remain critical topics for national and international discussions.
