What is United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)?

About United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL):

• UNIFIL is a peacekeeping force in Lebanon, originally set up by the UN Security Council in March 1978 after Israel first invaded Lebanon in what became known as the South Lebanon Conflict.
• UNIFIL was established to oversee the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon and to restore peace and security in the area.
• After a 34-day war in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, in which 1,100 Lebanese people were killed, UNIFIL’s mandate was expanded to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support Lebanese armed forces deployed throughout southern Lebanon.
• It has around 10,500 peacekeepers coming from 48 troop-contributing countries.
• The largest number of UNIFIL peacekeepers come from Indonesia. Italy, India, Nepal and China also contribute a large number of soldiers to the peacekeeping force.
• Funding: UNIFIL is funded through a separate account approved on an annual basis by the General Assembly. 
• It is a part of the UN Peacekeeping force.

UNIFIL’s rules of engagement allow the use of force only if necessary for self-defense or to carry out its duties.