China Calls on UN Security Council to Reconsider Lebanon Peacekeeping Resolution

China has assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for May and is pushing for a review of the council's decision to end the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of 2026. Ambassador Fu Cong stated that there is no real ceasefire in Lebanon, only a 'lesser fire,' and emphasized that it is incumbent on Israel to stop its bombardment of the country.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed more than 2,500 people and displaced over one million, according to Lebanese authorities. UNIFIL, established in 1978 to patrol Lebanon's southern border with Israel, has suffered casualties amid the violence, with at least six peacekeepers killed and many injured since the attacks began.

The mission's mandate was expanded after the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, creating a demilitarized buffer zone.

Cong told reporters that the overwhelming majority of the Security Council believes this is not the time to withdraw UNIFIL. China is awaiting a UN secretariat report due in June before finalizing its position on the issue. The Security Council unanimously agreed last year to begin withdrawing the 10,800 international peacekeepers by December 2026.

Fu Cong mentioned discussing the issue recently with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, noting the secretariat is considering options for implementing UN resolution 1701 from 2006. The resolution ended a previous conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the incidents, stating that peacekeepers have come under fire while performing duties such as clearing explosive ordnance. UNIFIL head Major-General Diodato Abagnara paid tribute to the fallen soldier.