UNIFIL and Lebanon: UN Mandate and India's Role

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Key takeaways

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was set up in March 1978 to restore stability in southern Lebanon.
Under UNSC Resolution 2790 (2025), the official mandate for UNIFIL expires on 31 December 2026.
The Blue Line was demarcated by the UN in 2000 to confirm Israeli military withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
India has actively supported the mission since 1998, deploying over 600 Indian peacekeepers as of September 2026.

The United Nations recently highlighted how important it is to keep peace in southern Lebanon.
This announcement comes as the final working period of UNIFIL is nearing its official end.

Lebanon sits on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, sharing borders with both Syria and Israel, with Beirut as its capital city.
In ancient times, this area belonged to the Phoenicians, whose major coastal ports like Tyre, Sidon, and Byblos were bustling trade centers during the Bronze Age.
The political group Hezbollah plays a key role inside Lebanese politics and remains a major active party in regional conflicts with Israel.
The Blue Line serves as a border marker drawn by the United Nations in 2000 to verify that Israel had fully withdrawn its troops from southern Lebanon.

The UN Security Council set up the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal, bring back peace, and help the local government regain control.
The UN Security Council updated this force's main duties in 1982 and 2000 to adjust to changing circumstances on the ground.
After the war in 2006, the UN gave UNIFIL extra duties like watching over the ceasefire, helping deploy Lebanese troops, and supporting emergency aid work.
Under UNSC Resolution 2790 (2025), the official mandate for UNIFIL was extended for the last time until 31 December 2026.
Indian soldiers have taken part in this peace mission since 1998, with over 600 Indian peacekeepers serving on the ground as of September 2026.