UN Security Council Renews UNIFIL Peacekeepers' Mandate Despite Hezbollah's Demands

The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL, which seeks to maintain calm in the region and enforce a resolution prohibiting armed operations by Hezbollah near the ceasefire line. The resolution demands that the Lebanese military and Hezbollah stop blocking the movement of UNIFIL and guarantee its freedom to operate. Despite Hezbollah's objections, the provision allowing UNIFIL to patrol without prior notice to the Lebanese army was maintained. Israel welcomed the mandate renewal and called on the international community to take a firm stand against Hezbollah's provocations.