UN peacekeeping chief says talks on future of Lebanon mission must begin soon

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UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix urged the Security Council to begin talks on the future of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. Beirut is seeking an extension of its mandate, which is due to expire at the end of the year, while a withdrawal process is scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.

By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT, Oct 14 (Reuters) - UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Wednesday urged the UN Security Council to begin negotiations on the future of peacekeepers deployed in Lebanon, as Beirut campaigns for an extension to the mandate set to expire at the end of this year. A UN peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL has been deployedin southern Lebanon since 1978 but the Security Council last year ordered the mission to begin withdrawing at the end of 2026.