The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is a peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon. It was established by the Security Council in 1978 with Resolutions 425 and 426. In 2006, the UN Security Council strengthened UNIFIL’s mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities, among other tasks.
Originally, UNIFIL was created by the Security Council in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese Government in restoring its effective authority in the area. The mandate had to be adjusted twice, due to the developments in 1982 and 2000.
Following the July/August 2006 crisis, the Council enhanced UNIFIL and decided that, in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.
UNIFIL has around 8,500 peacekeepers coming from almost 50 troop-contributing countries.
The Mission maintains an intensive level of operational and other activities, amounting to approximately 14,500 activities per month, day and night, in the area of operations.
Seventeen percent of activities are carried out jointly with the Lebanese Armed Forces. UNIFIL is complemented by a five-vessel Maritime Task Force.