The UN has started cutting its peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon by roughly a quarter, UNIFIL spokesperson Kandice Ardiel told Izvestia.
“We have initiated a process to reduce our personnel by about 25% due to UN-wide budget cuts,” Ardiel stated. “The process is underway and is expected to be completed by early 2026.”
According to UN data cited by the newspaper, the force's strength was 9,900 personnel as of November 20, 2025, down from a previous level of 10,500 military members.
The spokesperson noted that over the past year, peacekeepers have not observed any military activity by Hezbollah or other non-state armed groups within their area of operations. Ardiel added that there has been no rebuilding of unauthorized military infrastructure or re-introduction of illegal weapons.
In late August, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate until December 31, 2026. The Council also decided that a phased, orderly, and secure drawdown and withdrawal of personnel would begin on that date and be completed within one year.
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Based on materials from TASS