UNIFIL stands for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, which is a UN peacekeeping mission established on March 19, 1978, by United Nations Security Council Resolutions 425 and 426. The mission was created to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area. UNIFILs mandate includes the following objectives:

• Confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.
• Restore international peace and security.
• Assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area.

In addition, several further Security Council resolutions have reaffirmed the missions mandate. UNIFIL has played an important role in clearing landmines, assisting displaced persons, and providing humanitarian assistance to civilians in the underdeveloped region of Southern Lebanon. Under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which passed as a result of the July/August 2006 crisis, the Council enhanced the Force and decided that in addition to the original mandate, it would, among other things, monitor the cessation of hostilities, accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout the south of Lebanon, and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.