U.N. Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix is expected to visit Lebanon in the second week of October as international consultations intensify over arrangements to replace or succeed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) when its mandate ends, Annahar newspaper reported.

Lacroix is expected to meet with all Lebanese authorities during the visit, which comes as discussions focus on what elements of the international presence should remain in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL's mandate expires, particularly monitoring, observation, reporting to the U.N. Security Council and support for the Lebanese army.

One option under discussion is to retain U.N. observers tasked primarily with monitoring, liaison and reporting, according to international sources.

Lebanon attaches particular importance to maintaining such a role, as impartial U.N. reports would allow the Security Council to be regularly briefed on developments on the ground in southern Lebanon.

But preliminary consultations indicate that the United States is not particularly keen on reproducing the current monitoring and reporting system. Washington instead favors relying on the existing Lebanese-Israeli mechanism and framework, including arrangements being discussed around "pilot zones."

The U.S. position reflects a view that "old models" are no longer suitable for the next phase. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz referred in earlier consultations to the end of the "old models," remarks that were understood to include approaches associated with UNIFIL and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, although he did not explicitly say so.

Dividing responsibilities

One proposal under discussion would divide responsibilities between a multinational force and the United Nations, Annahar said.

The multinational force could provide operational support to the Lebanese army, as well as training and capacity building. However, the scope and nature of "operational support" have yet to be defined, and discussions are continuing over what its role would entail.

The United Nations, meanwhile, could retain responsibility for monitoring, observation, liaison and reporting to the Security Council.

Such an arrangement would preserve an independent U.N. presence on the ground without necessarily maintaining UNIFIL in its current form.

In parallel, the European Union is preparing a mission of about 80 civilian and military personnel focused on training and capacity building for the Lebanese police and armed forces. The mission is expected to arrive in Lebanon in October.

Its personnel would be based in secure areas and rear positions, away from the parts of southern Lebanon considered most exposed to risk.

The capabilities of the Lebanese army are also a central element of discussions over the post-UNIFIL phase, particularly in mine clearance, military engineering and capabilities related to movement and maneuver.

Those capabilities are needed to allow the army to move and carry out operational missions on the ground, and some have previously received support from UNIFIL.

For now, UNIFIL continues to perform its full range of duties through Dec. 31, with no early withdrawal or reduction in its activities. Troop rotations are also continuing normally.

The force currently has between 7,000 and 7,500 troops, down from nearly 10,000 following a reduction in U.S. funding.

Temporary extension considered

Another scenario being discussed is a temporary extension of UNIFIL's mandate.

Such an extension could partially address Lebanon's demand for an international presence while giving the United Nations and the countries involved additional time to put alternative arrangements in place and avoid a security vacuum in southern Lebanon.

The option, however, remains undecided. It would first have to be formally submitted to the Security Council and then secure the backing of its members, particularly the United States.

No substantive negotiations on a temporary extension have begun so far.

Lacroix's upcoming visit therefore comes as discussions over the post-UNIFIL period move into a more practical phase, with several key questions still unresolved: who will provide field support to the Lebanese army, who will oversee training and capacity building, and who will ensure the continuation of impartial monitoring and reporting to the Security Council?

The discussions so far point toward a redistribution of international responsibilities in southern Lebanon rather than the creation of a single force to take over all of UNIFIL's functions.

One possibility under discussion is a French-Italian force joined by other contingents. But that option has also faced differences within Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her defense minister have held differing views, with the minister seeking a force with broader responsibilities than those envisioned by Meloni.