Presidential mandate extending Turkish troops' mission in Lebanon by 1 year submitted to Parliament

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate regarding the extension of the mission of Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) personnel serving in Lebanon for another year has been submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

The mandate, bearing the signature of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, recalled that within the scope of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1701 adopted on August 11, 2006, and the authorization granted for one year by the TBMM's decision dated September 5, 2006, Turkey has been supporting the UNIFIL deployed in Lebanon with TSK personnel, and that the duration of this authorization was most recently extended for one year starting from October 31, 2022.

The mandate included the following statements:

"Turkey's contribution has served to increase its visibility among all segments of Lebanese society, both within the UN system and on a regional and global scale, as well as through comprehensive civil-military cooperation activities, and has also served to maintain its policy aimed at preserving peace and stability. In this regard, it is assessed that continuing our contribution to UNIFIL is of importance."

The mandate, which noted that the UNIFIL mission duration was extended by the UNSC until August 31, 2024, requested that, in this context, taking into account bilateral relations with Lebanon and security conditions in the region, and in accordance with the UNSC's decision to extend the UNIFIL mission, the necessary actions be taken for TSK elements, whose borders, scope, and quantity will be determined by the President, to participate in UNIFIL for another year starting from October 31, 2023, within the framework of the principles established by the UNSC and TBMM decisions.