The United States has reportedly opposed proposals to maintain the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon while expanding its authority under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, amid growing international discussions over the future of security arrangements along the Lebanon-Israel border.

According to information obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, Washington has effectively blocked proposals that would have granted UNIFIL broader enforcement powers, including the ability to implement its mandate through military force if necessary. The reported U.S. position appears aligned with Israel’s longstanding criticism of the force’s effectiveness in curbing the activities of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The discussions come as UN Secretary-General António Guterres conducts extensive consultations with senior officials from the United States, France, other permanent members of the Security Council, as well as Arab and Western governments, over possible “future formulas” for maintaining an international presence along the Lebanese-Israeli frontier once UNIFIL’s current mandate expires at the end of 2026.

Diplomatic sources said the talks have focused on the need for a stronger monitoring mechanism following months of escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and continued instability along the border.

Several proposals are reportedly under discussion. One option would expand the role of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), which has monitored the Lebanese-Israeli armistice line since 1949, under a revamped structure tentatively referred to as “UNTSO Plus.”

Another proposal under consideration would establish a completely new international monitoring force of more than 1,000 personnel modeled after the Multinational Force and Observers deployed in Sinai following the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. Unlike UNIFIL, such a force would operate outside the formal United Nations framework.

The debate over UNIFIL’s future is unfolding alongside direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations being mediated by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Lebanese and Israeli negotiators held preliminary talks Wednesday with senior U.S. officials ahead of a third round of direct negotiations scheduled for Thursday. According to diplomatic sources, Washington is seeking what it describes as a “comprehensive peace and security agreement” aimed at addressing the core concerns of both countries while avoiding what U.S. officials reportedly view as the “failed approach” of previous negotiations and trilateral military meetings held under UNIFIL supervision.