Proposed post-war security arrangements could eventually see French, British and Qatari forces play a larger role along Lebanon's southern border as part of efforts to provide guarantees against future Israeli aggression, a retired Lebanese army officer has told The New Arab. Discussions are underway over a broader security framework for south Lebanon that could eventually succeed the current UNIFIL mission , whose mandate is due to expire at the end of 2026 , former Lebanese brigadier general and military analyst Bassam Yassin said.
Any future arrangement would have to provide credible guarantees against renewed Israeli aggression and occupation if it is to create the conditions for a lasting settlement, Yassin, who headed Lebanon's delegation for indirect maritime border talks with Israel in 2020, said.
"If Lebanon receives credible security guarantees and Israel no longer poses a military threat from the south, that becomes the guarantee on which Hezbollah could relinquish its weapons," he told The New Arab. His comments came as a joint Qatari, French and British ministerial delegation arrived in Beirut on Thursday to reaffirm support for Lebanon amid renewed diplomatic efforts following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding .
Attention has increasingly shifted to Lebanon since the agreement, which included provisions aimed at consolidating a ceasefire on the Lebanese front. While Israeli attacks have declined in recent days, Israeli forces continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and carry out periodic strikes.
Yassine cautioned that Israel's intentions remain unclear despite the recent diplomatic momentum.
"The situation on the border is still ambiguous. Israeli strikes are continuing and there is no clear indication that Israel intends to fully withdraw or end its military operations in south Lebanon," he said.
He argued that the next test would be whether Washington is willing and able to pressure Israel into implementing a full ceasefire and withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territory.
"We need to wait and see how US pressure on Israel develops. I believe the ceasefire process will only begin to take the right course once those meetings take place," he added, referring to upcoming US-sponsored talks involving Lebanon.
The issue remains particularly sensitive as Israel has repeatedly insisted it will maintain a military presence in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah has linked any discussion of its weapons to an end to Israeli occupation and attacks. Security guarantees and Lebanon's future France is likely to play a central role in any future international security arrangement, alongside Britain and Qatar.
Paris has positioned itself as a key diplomatic player in recent regional negotiations and would be difficult for Israel to openly reject if broader international guarantees were agreed.
"I believe Lebanese participation in such a force would be a purely Lebanese demand. I don't think the United States would oppose it, and Israel would find it difficult to object outright," Yassin said.
However, any international role must be viewed through the lens of protecting Lebanon rather than political intervention.
"This is more about providing Lebanon with military and security guarantees than about foreign interference in Lebanese affairs," Yassin added.
A French diplomatic source told The New Arab that Paris had viewed recent regional developments positively and hoped they would lead to a durable ceasefire in Lebanon.
The source stressed that any lasting arrangement required a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and reiterated France's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty.
A conference to financially support Lebanon's armed forces that was set to happen in Paris was delayed with the outbreak of the US-Israel war on Iran and the resumption of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The source also backed efforts by the Lebanese state and army to extend their authority across the country, saying international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces would remain essential during the transition.
"The issue has been delayed by developments in the region and in Lebanon, but it will return to the agenda because the Lebanese Army needs substantial support to carry out the tasks required of it during this critical period," the source said.
Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haikal is expected to visit the United Kingdom in the coming weeks for discussions on security arrangements related to southern Lebanon.
London's role in Lebanon is likely to become increasingly prominent, sources told The New Arab , and could position Britian as as one of the most influential international actors in shaping Lebanon's future security architecture, with its relationship with France evolving from one of cooperation to what they described as "managed competition".
However, the success of any political or security framework ultimately depends on whether Israel ends its occupation and military operations in Lebanon. Without security guarantees and a full withdrawal, it will be difficult to persuade Lebanese factions that the conditions exist for a lasting settlement.