Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper has obtained a copy of the draft resolution circulated by France regarding the renewal of UNIFIL’s mandate. The operative paragraphs of the draft resolution read as follows:

The Security Council,

Acting under Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) until 31 August 2026;

2. Calls for the full implementation of Resolution 1701 (2006), reiterates its strong support for full respect of the Blue Line and a complete cessation of hostilities, and recalls the objective of reaching a long-term solution based on the principles and elements set out in paragraph 8 of Resolution 1701;

3. Welcomes the cessation of hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanon of 26 November 2024 as a critical step toward the full implementation of Resolution 1701, while expressing grave concern over ongoing violations of this agreement, in particular airstrikes and drone operations on Lebanese territory, and requests both parties to fully implement its provisions, with the support of the Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon and UNIFIL, consistent with their respective mandates;

4. Calls upon the Government of Israel to withdraw its remaining forces north of the Blue Line, including from the five positions located on Lebanese territory, and to lift the buffer zones established north of the Blue Line; further calls upon the Lebanese authorities to deploy in these positions with the support of UNIFIL, and to extend the authority of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territory in accordance with Resolutions 1559 (2004), 1680 (2006), 1701 (2006), and the relevant provisions of the Taif Agreement, so that the Government of Lebanon may exercise its full sovereignty, with the objective that, as soon as possible, there will be no weapons without the consent of the Government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the Government of Lebanon;

5. Expresses its intention to work toward a phased withdrawal of UNIFIL, with the aim of making the Government of Lebanon the sole entity responsible for security in southern Lebanon, provided that the Government of Lebanon exercises full control over all Lebanese territory, particularly through the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces and other state security institutions, and that both parties agree on a comprehensive political arrangement;

6. Urges the international community to intensify its support, including equipment, material, and financial assistance, to the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure their effective and sustainable deployment south of the Litani River and to strengthen their capacity to implement Resolution 1701; requests the Secretary-General to adapt UNIFIL’s activities, within its mandate, to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in establishing an area free of any armed personnel, assets, or weapons other than those of the Government of Lebanon and UNIFIL between the Blue Line and the Litani River; encourages the UNIFIL Force Commander to make full use of the existing rules of engagement to enhance the implementation of UNIFIL’s mandate; and calls for a proactive approach to strategic communications in support of UNIFIL’s activities in this regard;

7. Calls upon the Government of Lebanon to strengthen coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and to facilitate UNIFIL’s prompt and unhindered access to sites requested for the purpose of swift investigation, including all sites of significance;

8. Calls upon the mechanism established under the cessation of hostilities agreement between Israel and Lebanon of 26 November 2024 and UNIFIL to cooperate in carrying out their mandates, and encourages UNIFIL, within its mandate, existing capacities, and monitoring and verification role, to provide support to the mechanism in ensuring compliance with the commitments undertaken by Israel and Lebanon, as well as in monitoring and reporting on violations of Resolution 1701;

9. Calls for intensified diplomatic efforts to resolve any disputes or reservations regarding the international boundary between Lebanon and Israel, with the support of the Special Coordinator of the Secretary-General for Lebanon and UNIFIL, as appropriate;

10. Requests the Secretary-General to continue reporting to the Council on the implementation of Resolution 1701 every four months, or at any time he deems appropriate, in line with the reporting format established by previous resolutions;

11. Emphasizes the importance and necessity of achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all relevant resolutions, and decides to remain actively seized of the matter.