The talks come as the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which has monitored the frontier region for decades, is expected to wind down by the end of 2026. Several European governments have reportedly expressed support for exploring alternative arrangements to maintain stability in southern Lebanon following the mission’s departure.

According to the Lebanese Presidency, Macron and Aoun discussed possible international participation in a post-UNIFIL security mechanism during a telephone conversation. The French leader indicated he would consult partner nations regarding their willingness to contribute to any future multinational presence.

“President Macron indicated that he would conduct outreach to a number of countries to determine their stance on this step,” the Lebanese Presidency said, noting that preparations would be necessary before UNIFIL’s expected withdrawal process begins in early 2027.

UNIFIL was first deployed in 1978 and was significantly expanded following the 2006 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. The mission has since served as a key stabilizing force along the Blue Line, the UN-demarcated boundary separating Lebanon and Israel.

Diplomatic discussions have increasingly focused on how to preserve security coordination and monitoring mechanisms once the current peacekeeping framework concludes. A French proposal under consideration reportedly includes military and civilian options, as well as an alternative delegation structure involving European partners.

According to Lebanese officials, preliminary concepts envision an international force ranging from approximately 2,000 to 5,500 personnel. No final decision has been announced, and consultations among participating countries remain at an early stage.

European nations form the backbone of the current UNIFIL mission. Countries including France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Finland, Austria and Greece contribute substantial numbers of peacekeepers and logistical support.

The two leaders also discussed developments in Lebanese-Syrian relations and ongoing coordination between Beirut and Damascus.

Aoun welcomed recent remarks by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa affirming Syria’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. According to the Lebanese Presidency, Al-Sharaa reiterated that Syria does not intend to intervene militarily in Lebanon and that any future Syrian role would be conducted exclusively through official Lebanese state institutions.

The discussions highlight broader regional concerns over maintaining security arrangements in southern Lebanon at a time of continued geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing efforts to strengthen state authority along the country’s southern frontier.

UNIFIL said the peacekeeper died from critical injuries sustained during Wednesday night’s attack on a base located near the border area where Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters continue to clash. The mission said an investigation had been launched and called on relevant authorities to examine the incident.

Serbia’s defense ministry identified the deceased soldier as Milovan Jovanovic, a senior sergeant who was evacuated to a medical center in Beirut after receiving emergency treatment at the base but later succumbed to his injuries.

The death raises the number of UNIFIL personnel killed since the latest round of hostilities began in March to seven. Around 170 Serbian troops serve within the 7,500-member UN force deployed along the Blue Line, the de facto border separating Lebanon and Israel.

UNIFIL said it had recorded an increasing number of projectiles and impacts across southern Lebanon and renewed calls for an end to the violence.

The peacekeeping mission has suffered multiple casualties in recent months. In March, two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in separate incidents, while in April two French peacekeepers died in an ambush that French authorities and the UN attributed to Hezbollah, a claim the group denied.

Earlier this week, Antonio Guterres said UN peacekeepers would continue to be needed in Lebanon beyond the expiration of UNIFIL’s current mandate at the end of the year.