China’s representative at the United Nations is pushing for the Security Council to reconsider its plan to withdraw peacekeepers from Lebanon, citing escalating violence in the region.
Ambassador Fu Cong made the statement Friday as China assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for May. The diplomat expressed alarm over the deteriorating security situation along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, has monitored the Israeli-Lebanese border since its creation in 1978. Security Council members voted unanimously last year to phase out the peacekeeping operation by the end of 2026.
However, Fu questioned that timeline given current conditions, describing the situation as having “lesser fire” rather than a genuine ceasefire. “It is incumbent on Israel to stop this bombardment of Lebanon,” the ambassador stated during a press briefing.
The violence has intensified dramatically since early March, when Hezbollah militants launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with Iran. Israel responded with extensive ground operations and airstrikes that have devastated large portions of southern Lebanon. The conflict has claimed more than 2,500 lives since March 2.
Israeli officials at the UN have not yet commented on China’s remarks, though Israel maintains its military actions target Hezbollah fighters to prevent further attacks.
When asked directly about the peacekeeping mandate, Fu stated: “We do believe we should revisit the decision actually to withdraw the UNIFIL.”
The Chinese ambassador revealed he had recently discussed the matter with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. According to Fu, UN leadership is considering a comprehensive review and plans to present various options in June for implementing Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
“I think at least the view of the overwhelming majority of the Security Council is that this is not the time to redraw UNIFIL,” Fu explained.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, who heads UN peacekeeping operations, indicated last month that some form of international presence could remain in Lebanon even after the current mandate expires.
