Lebanese and French officials have met to discuss security on the Lebanon-Israel border, as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is set to begin a 12-month withdrawal on December 31. Lebanese Defence Minister Major General Michel Mansi emphasized the priority of halting Israeli strikes on Lebanon, securing the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the south, and preventing any security vacuum that might arise from the end of the international force’s mission. French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces, Alice Rufau, stated that France is prepared to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and military, and maintain stability on the southern border.