The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a peacekeeping mission that supports security and stability in southern Lebanon.

The mission consists of more than 10,000 peacekeepers from around 50 countries who monitor violations of Resolution 1701 and report them to the Security Council. The mission also includes around 800 civilian staff members.

UNIFIL’s headquarters is located in the town of Naqoura, and it has 50 positions across its area of operations, which covers 1,060 square kilometres. Five UNIFIL naval vessels operate along the Lebanese coast as part of the mission’s Maritime Task Force.

Establishment of UNIFIL and its role

UNIFIL was established following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1978. On 19 March of that year, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolutions 425 and 426, leading to the creation of an international peacekeeping force. The first peacekeepers arrived four days later, on 23 March 1978.

Following the July and August 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel, the Security Council expanded UNIFIL’s mandate under Resolution 1701 to include monitoring the “cessation of hostilities”, meaning ensuring that Lebanon and Israel stop hostile actions against each other.

UNIFIL vehicles. (Reuters)

UNIFIL and the use of force

As UNIFIL operates under Chapter VI of the United Nations Charter, peacekeepers are not permitted to use force except in very specific and highly limited circumstances, as outlined in paragraph 12 of Resolution 1701.

Peacekeepers can always use force in self defence to protect United Nations personnel, facilities, installations, and equipment.

What is the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force?

The UNIFIL Maritime Task Force is a naval peacekeeping force. It was deployed in October 2006 at the request of the Lebanese government to assist the Lebanese Navy in securing the country’s maritime borders and other maritime entry points, in order to prevent the entry of unauthorized weapons and related materials. This was the first ever naval deployment as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

Since its establishment, 15 countries have contributed naval units to the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force: Bangladesh, Brazil, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye.

Currently, vessels from Germany, Bangladesh, Greece, Indonesia, and Türkiye are deployed.