Heavy uncertainty continues to surround Lebanon’s political and security landscape, with no clear timetable for the next round of U.S.-mediated talks with Israel and no agreement yet on arrangements to replace or succeed the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, Annahar newspaper reported.

The eighth round of Lebanon-Israel negotiations in Rome has yet to be scheduled, despite repeated U.S. assurances that the talks will take place. The two sides have also continued to discuss theoretical options for the period after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends its mandate, but those discussions have so far failed to produce a clear direction.

Washington does not appear to have endorsed any proposal that would either fill a potential security vacuum left by UNIFIL or extend the mission’s mandate.

The uncertainty comes as Prime Minister Nawaf Salam steps up diplomatic efforts in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. The frequency and level of his meetings with U.S. and international officials underscore Lebanon’s efforts to secure international backing for its demands, including an end to the war and its consequences in the south and the preservation of a sustained international presence after UNIFIL’s mandate expires.

Salam’s planned meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Sept. 28 is expected to be a key opportunity to press for progress on the next phase of the framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel. Rubio has emerged as the main U.S. official overseeing the negotiations.

Lebanon is concerned that Israel may seek to delay the talks and freeze additional procedural steps intended to accelerate the establishment of the so-called pilot zones until after Israel’s elections. Lebanese officials also fear that, in the meantime, Israeli forces could continue demolishing and leveling villages and towns in what is known as the “yellow zone.”

Diplomatic sources described Lebanon’s participation in an expanded U.S.-regional meeting hosted by President Donald Trump as a positive development that had not been planned in advance. The participation gave Beirut an opportunity to present its position at a high-level forum focused on the volatile situation in the Gulf and the wider Middle East.

Lebanon Seeks Alternative to UNIFIL

The future of UNIFIL remains a central issue in Lebanon’s diplomatic campaign.

President Joseph Aoun told British Admiral Edward Green, the British government’s senior defense adviser for the Middle East, that Lebanon would welcome any force that could replace UNIFIL if extending its mandate proved impossible.

Such a force, Aoun said, would be expected to continue implementing U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and support the Lebanese army in extending state authority across southern Lebanon up to the internationally recognized border.

Aoun warned that failing to extend UNIFIL’s mandate without establishing an alternative international force would create a security vacuum, particularly as Israeli forces continue to occupy southern villages and towns.

He also accused Israel of failing to implement the framework agreement reached during Lebanese-U.S.-Israeli negotiations in Washington.

Aoun said Israel was not adhering to the ceasefire, was continuing to destroy and demolish homes, had failed to resolve disputed points along the Blue Line and had not returned Lebanese prisoners to Lebanon.

He said those actions were keeping tensions high in the south despite Lebanese efforts to implement the framework agreement.

Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, speaking from New York, said Lebanon’s meetings at the U.N. Security Council were aimed at “saving the country and ending the war” and enabling the state to extend its sovereignty over all of its territory.

He said Lebanon was also discussing a formula for the post-UNIFIL period based on an international presence under U.N. auspices.

Rajji described the diplomatic atmosphere as positive but said the broader situation remained difficult and complicated.

“The international community is seeking to help Lebanon, but the Lebanese must also help themselves,” he said.

The United States has continued to provide military assistance to Lebanon as diplomatic efforts over the south and the future role of the Lebanese army intensify.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut said on Wednesday that Washington had delivered 16 million rounds of ammunition to the Lebanese Armed Forces. The embassy said the shipment was part of ongoing U.S. support for the army.

The United States has provided more than $800 million in military assistance to the Lebanese army over the past six years, according to the embassy. It said the assistance was intended to strengthen Lebanon’s sovereignty, secure its borders, counter internal threats and disrupt terrorist activities.

Washington also reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese government and army in strengthening state authority, protecting civilians and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability.

Unions Prepare for Nationwide Strike

The diplomatic activity has not overshadowed preparations for a new wave of labor protests and strikes expected next week.

The General Labor Union is expected to announce on Saturday the date of a nationwide strike covering all sectors.

Meanwhile, unions and syndicates representing Lebanon’s land transport sector held an extraordinary meeting chaired by Bassam Tleis. General Labor Union chief Beshara al-Asmar attended part of the meeting at the union’s headquarters, alongside representatives of the various unions and syndicates representing land transport workers.

The meeting focused on the impact of rising fuel prices on the transport sector.

Following a vote, Tleis announced a nationwide strike, protest and sit-in on Wednesday involving all segments of the land transport sector.

The details of the planned action will be announced at a news conference on Tuesday at the General Labor Union’s headquarters.

Israeli Operations Continue in Southern Lebanon

On the ground, Israeli forces carried out machine-gun fire toward the towns of Haddatha, Beit Yahoun and Aita al-Jabal, according to Lebanese reports.

The outskirts of Baraachit in the Bint Jbeil district came under artillery fire, while the Ain al-Samahiya area between the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Mayfadoun was hit by concentrated artillery shelling. The shelling also reached the area around the Scout City in Zawtar al-Sharqiya.

Lebanese reports said Israeli forces used phosphorus shells in the bombardment, triggering fires in the area.

Seven Merkava tanks were also seen moving through neighborhoods in Zawtar al-Sharqiya, while Wadi Zebqine came under artillery fire.

After midnight, Israeli forces blew up chalets in the town of Khiam.

Earlier reports said a major explosion in Khiam, in the Marjayoun district, was heard across several villages in the area. Khiam has witnessed similar Israeli demolitions in recent days.

The continuing violence has added to the uncertainty surrounding the diplomatic track, even as Lebanon seeks international guarantees for the period ahead and pushes for arrangements to prevent a security vacuum after UNIFIL’s scheduled departure. The U.N. has stressed the importance of a smooth transition as the mission prepares for its withdrawal at the end of 2026.