Understanding the mandate of U.N. peacekeepers in southern Lebanon

United Nations peacekeepers were deployed to patrol Lebanon’s southern border with Israel in 1978 after Israel invaded south Lebanon.

The mandate for the operation — known as the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) — is renewed annually by the 15-member U.N. Security Council.

Following a monthlong war between Israel and Lebanese militants Hezbollah in 2006, the mandate for UNIFIL was expanded when the council adopted resolution 1701.