
Italy says it will keep a military presence in Lebanon after the United Nations peacekeeping force it belongs to begins to withdraw as planned at the end of 2026.
"Even after UNIFIL, Italy will continue to do its part by firmly supporting the international presence and supporting the capacity-building of the Lebanese armed forces," Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said Monday during a visit to Lebanon, referring to the United Nations Interim force in Lebanon, whose mandate will end on 31 December 2026.