China calls on UN to reconsider decision on withdrawal of peacekeepers from Lebanon

May 2, 2026 at 12:30 AM • 4522 переглядiв

Beijing urges the UN not to terminate the UNIFIL mission mandate due to the lack of a truce. Diplomats believe that reducing forces now is premature.

China considers it necessary to reconsider the UN Security Council's decision to end the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026. This is reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

Details

According to China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, Beijing is concerned about the developing situation in Lebanon, where, as the diplomat noted, there is effectively no full-fledged ceasefire.

"This is not a real truce, but only a reduction in the intensity of fire,"
Fu Cong told reporters.

He emphasized that Israel must stop its strikes on Lebanese territory.

Responding to a question about the future of UNIFIL, the Chinese diplomat stated that this decision needs to be reviewed. According to him, he recently discussed this issue with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Israel massively demolishes residential buildings in southern Lebanon after ceasefire23.04.26, 08:05

Fu Cong noted that the UN Secretariat is considering possible options for further action and may submit proposals in June regarding the implementation of the resolution adopted after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006.

"At least the majority of Security Council members believe that now is not the time to downsize UNIFIL,"
he said.

As is known, starting in March, after Hezbollah opened fire on Israel in support of Iran, Israeli strikes on Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 2,500 people. A significant portion of the country's southern regions has been destroyed.

For Reference

UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon) is a UN peacekeeping force stationed in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425 of March 19, 1978. The mandate is extended every six months.

In February, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon officially presented a plan for the withdrawal of its units from the southern regions of the country. This process will begin at the end of 2026 and is expected to be fully completed within the following twelve months.