UK proposes surveillance towers for Lebanon-Israel border

The United Kingdom officially proposed the construction of surveillance towers along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel, aiming to secure and stabilise the area and support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, according to Asharq Al-Awsat on July 10th.

A Lebanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the initiative mirrors similar towers the UK previously installed along the Lebanese-Syrian border over the past decade.

Currently, Lebanon’s southern frontier is jointly monitored by the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL). While Lebanon has pledged to renew UNIFIL’s mandate and deploy an additional 10,000 troops to the border, officials argue that Israel’s ongoing occupation of at least five Lebanese positions continues to obstruct the army’s full deployment.

The British proposal was made during UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Beirut on July 5th. According to government sources, the UK suggested expanding the existing network of surveillance towers in northern and eastern Lebanon to the southern frontier. These towers would then be handed over to the Lebanese Army to bolster its monitoring and security operations in the area.

Lebanon reportedly did not reject the offer but stressed that any discussion must be preceded by serious efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and halt Israeli violations and occupation. Without meeting these conditions, officials argued, stability along the border would remain unattainable.

Since 2012, the UK has provided over £115 million in support to the Lebanese Army, which it recognises as the country’s sole legitimate military force, funding infrastructure, vehicles, equipment, and border regiments.

During his visit, Lammy was received at Baabda Palace by Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, who expressed appreciation for the UK’s ongoing support.

A statement from the presidency reaffirmed Lebanon’s openness to any initiative that could enhance stability on the southern border and strengthen international cooperation. The Lebanese president also called for increased diplomatic pressure on Israel to withdraw from occupied Lebanese positions, provide guarantees against future aggression, and fully adhere to Resolution 1701.

Asharq al-Awsat, Maghrebi.org