A delegation of Lebanese lawmakers on Thursday delivered a letter signed by 86 members of Parliament to U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jean Arnault, urging the United Nations and the Security Council to ensure the continued deployment of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon.

The initiative, backed by lawmakers from across Lebanon's political spectrum, was presented as a show of broad parliamentary support for maintaining the peacekeeping mission at a time of heightened security challenges along the country's southern border.

The letter, addressed to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and members of the U.N. Security Council, was handed over in the presence of UNIFIL Deputy Head of Mission and Director of Political and Civil Affairs Hervé Lecoq.

The delegation included MPs Salim Sayegh, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Edgar Traboulsi, Bilal Houshaymi, Adnan Traboulsi, Firas Hamdan, Melhem Khalaf, Michel Moussa, Najat Aoun Saliba and Hagop Terzian, who delivered the message on behalf of the 86 signatories.

During the meeting, the lawmakers outlined the objectives of the initiative, stressing that support from 86 MPs representing different parliamentary blocs and political affiliations reflects a broad national consensus in favor of preserving UNIFIL's presence in southern Lebanon.

They said the peacekeeping force continues to play a vital role in maintaining security and stability, supporting the implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions—particularly Resolution 1701—and helping prevent renewed escalation while creating conditions conducive to long-term peace and stability.

The delegation argued that the reasons behind UNIFIL's creation under U.N. Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426 remain valid, citing ongoing violations and the fragile security environment in southern Lebanon.

According to the lawmakers, those conditions make it essential not only to preserve the international force but also to strengthen its ability to fully carry out its mandate, particularly during what they described as a critical period for both Lebanon and the wider region.

They also emphasized that UNIFIL's role extends well beyond maintaining security.

According to the delegation, the force will be an important partner in supporting any future security arrangements or understandings, assisting in mine clearance and the removal of unexploded ordnance, continuing monitoring and verification activities, and supporting the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese state in extending their authority and sovereignty across the country's entire territory.

The lawmakers said UNIFIL also helps provide the conditions necessary for Lebanon to fulfill its responsibilities under relevant international resolutions.

The delegation further argued that UNIFIL's presence is not only a key safeguard for residents of southern Lebanon but also a concrete expression of international legitimacy and the United Nations' commitment to preserving international peace and security.

They warned that terminating the mission or reducing its role before the conditions that prompted its establishment have been addressed would create a dangerous security vacuum that could undermine stability in both Lebanon and the broader region while weakening the role of international legitimacy at a time when greater international engagement is needed.

Discussions between the lawmakers and Arnault also focused on the role the United Nations, through UNIFIL, could play during the next phase.

The delegation stressed the importance of preserving UNIFIL's status as an objective and neutral international actor that enjoys the confidence of the international community and contributes to maintaining stability while overseeing compliance with international commitments and Security Council resolutions.

The lawmakers asked Arnault to forward the letter and accompanying documents to the U.N. secretary-general and Security Council members, saying the initiative reflects the position of a broad majority in the Lebanese Parliament and reaffirms lawmakers' commitment to the United Nations, international legitimacy and UNIFIL's role in supporting security, stability and Lebanese state sovereignty.

Arnault said he would transmit the letter and supporting documents to the secretary-general and members of the Security Council through the established diplomatic channels.

He also expressed appreciation for the parliamentary initiative, saying it reflected Lebanon's commitment to continued cooperation with the United Nations and to preserving security and stability in southern Lebanon.