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President Joseph Aoun informed visiting U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix that Lebanon is open to any nation seeking to deploy troops in the southern region following the departure of UNIFIL in 2027.

“These forces will support the Lebanese army, which plans to expand its ranks in the coming weeks,” Aoun stated on Wednesday following his meeting with Lacroix.

Lacroix subsequently met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and talked about the next steps after the conclusion of UNIFIL’s mandate. He characterized the meeting as “positive.”

On Tuesday, Lacroix convened in Naqoura, southern Lebanon, with UNIFIL peacekeepers, whom he stated are “performing their assigned duties amid growing challenges and hazardous circumstances.”

“Despite persistent threats to their safety and security, their daily efforts to promote regional stability and security remain ongoing,” Lacroix wrote on X.

He subsequently stated that the extent of damage in southern Lebanon is “shocking.”

“Families are unable to come back. The danger from unexploded devices is still very severe,” he stated, urging all involved sides to abide by the 2024 ceasefire deal, permit civilians to return, and ensure UNIFIL carries out its responsibilities.

Amid growing regional conflicts, the Blue Line serves as a shared reference for Lebanon, Israel, and the U.N. Upholding its validity is crucial to avoid further tensions and allow UNIFIL to carry out its assigned responsibilities, including ensuring and preserving the Blue Line and reporting breaches.