China calls for reconsideration of UN peacekeeping withdrawal from Lebanon

International Desk: PNN

China’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has said that the decision to withdraw the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has been operating in Lebanon for a long time, needs to be reconsidered.

Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, he said that Beijing is deeply concerned about the current security situation in Lebanon. He made the remarks ahead of China assuming the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in May.

Ambassador Fu Cong said that there is no real full-scale ceasefire in Lebanon. According to him, the current situation can rather be described as a “low-intensity conflict.”

He further said that the decision to withdraw UN peacekeeping forces needs reconsideration. According to him, the majority of Security Council members believe that it is not yet the right time to withdraw the force.

The Chinese ambassador said that a report from the United Nations is expected to be published in June. China will announce its official position after receiving that report.

Fu Cong said that stopping ongoing military attacks in Lebanon is Israel’s responsibility and called for an immediate end to violence.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon was established in 1978 to monitor Israeli troop withdrawal. Later, after the 2006 Israel–Hezbollah war, its mandate was expanded. The force currently monitors a buffer zone along the border.

Last year, the UN Security Council unanimously decided that the mission would be gradually withdrawn by December 2026, with around 10,800 peacekeepers currently deployed.

According to Lebanese authorities, thousands of people have been killed and a large number have been displaced due to recent conflicts.

UN sources say that since the conflict began, several peacekeepers have been killed and many injured. Peacekeepers from different countries have been affected by shelling and attacks.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the attacks, saying that peacekeepers are being directly targeted while performing humanitarian duties, which is a violation of international law.