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.