Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to visit Rome over UNIFIL

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is scheduled to visit Rome on Thursday for talks on the future of UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, a Lebanese official said.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Aoun would meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss international forces, including a French-Italian initiative to create a force that could replace UNIFIL.

Aoun is also expected to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and brief him on Lebanon's contacts since negotiations with Israel began, the official said.

Italy and France said in June that they wanted to set up a multinational coalition to succeed UNIFIL. Both countries have large troop contingents in the mission, whose mandate ends this year.

Aoun has said Lebanon prefers an extension of UNIFIL's mandate, a position opposed by Israel. He said Monday that a second option would be a formula ensuring the continued presence of international forces in the south alongside and in coordination with the Lebanese army.

Lebanon and Israel launched US-sponsored direct talks after Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in March by attacking Israel, which responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion. Rome has hosted the last two rounds of talks.

A June framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon calls for Hezbollah's disarmament, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon and the deployment of the Lebanese army, starting in “pilot zones.” Lebanon and several other countries fear a security vacuum if UNIFIL leaves without an alternative in place.