UN forces leaving Lebanon and Western Sahara spark fears for border safety

The United Nations peacekeeping chief has warned that the departure of UN peacekeepers from Lebanon and Western Sahara risks leaving a dangerous security vacuum, while the Security Council remains divided over what, if anything, should replace them. The UN mission in Western Sahara closed at the end of October 2026, and the force patrolling the Lebanon–Israel border is due to stop operating at the end of the year.

Key facts

• UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) has patrolled the border with Israel since 1978 and is due to cease operations at the end of 2026.
• Around 7,500 peacekeepers are still serving with UNIFIL.
• The UN mission in Western Sahara, MINURSO, saw its mandate expire on 31 October 2026 after 35 years.
• The Secretary-General put forward options for a UN presence after UNIFIL in June 2026; no decision has been taken.

What is happening in Lebanon?

Around 7,500 peacekeepers are still serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The force acts as a go-between for the Lebanese and Israeli armies, monitors violations and helps humanitarian aid get through in the south of the country.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said after a visit to Lebanon that President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and other senior Lebanese officials, including Speaker Berri and the chief of the Lebanese armed forces, all feared a "security vacuum" once the peacekeepers leave — with no third party left between the Lebanese army and the Israel Defense Forces to stop border incidents from turning into clashes.

Lacroix said about 10,000 people still live between the so-called yellow line — the Israeli forward defence line — and the Blue Line, though he cautioned that the exact figure is hard to confirm. UNIFIL's work facilitating humanitarian access to those communities, and its demining and engineering capabilities, are seen as important, he said.

What has happened in Western Sahara?

The MINURSO mission ended after the Security Council failed to agree on an extension of its mandate, which expired on 31 October 2026 following 35 years of operations. Lacroix paid tribute to the 2,220 MINURSO personnel who lost their lives serving the mission.

The mission has entered a liquidation phase, run with the Department of Operational Support. The Secretary-General has called on all concerned to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from any action that could increase tension or undermine regional stability, while the UN says it remains committed to supporting a mutually acceptable political solution providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Will anything replace the missions?

At the Security Council's request, the Secretary-General presented options for a UN presence after UNIFIL in June 2026. Lacroix said the UN believes a presence in Lebanon is still needed, and that this is also the view of the Lebanese authorities. The Security Council has yet to give guidance, and remains divided.

What this means for travellers

UN officials are warning of possible instability along the Lebanon–Israel border once UNIFIL's monitoring and liaison role ends, and of tension risks in Western Sahara following MINURSO's abrupt closure. Anyone planning travel to either area should check current official travel advice and local conditions before booking.

Meanwhile, Lacroix also visited Syria and the UNDOF mission on the Golan Heights, which supervises the disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces under the 1974 agreement and reports complaints from the civilian population about detentions, access restrictions and property confiscation. The next steps for Lebanon now depend on the Security Council.