Security Council Calls for National Unity Govt. in Lebanon

The UN Security Council expressed hope during a closed session Monday that a new national unity government will be formed in Lebanon, discussing the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate in August, media reports said Tuesday.

“The Council hopes that a new national unity government is swiftly lined up in Lebanon and looks forward to a new mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)," Olof Skoog, Swedish ambassador to the UN told reporters.

On whether any changes would be made to the UNIFIL mandate, Skoog said he expects “none.”

The peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL is up for renewal when its mandate expires Aug. 31.