Media: UK offers Lebanon to build surveillance towers on Israel border

The United Kingdom has proposed to Lebanon the construction of surveillance towers along its southern border with Israel, aimed at bolstering security and supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the London-based Arabic international news Asharq Al-Awsat reports.

According to an official Lebanese source cited by Asharq Al-Awsat, the initiative is modeled on similar towers Britain has installed along Lebanon's border with Syria over the past decade.

The British offer was reportedly conveyed during UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy's visit to Beirut two weeks ago. Government sources said London proposed extending the observation network it previously erected in northern and eastern Lebanon to the southern frontier with Israel. Under the plan, the towers would be handed over to the Lebanese Army to enhance monitoring capabilities and reinforce stability in the border region.

The Lebanese Army currently maintains a presence alongside UNIFIL peacekeeping forces deployed in southern Lebanon.

Beirut remains committed to renewing UNIFIL's mandate and has pledged to deploy 10,000 troops along the border, according to Asharq Al-Awsat. 

Sources said Lebanon did not reject the UK proposal outright but informed British officials that any practical discussions must first be preceded by efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire with Israel, as well as a full withdrawal of IDF soldiers from within Lebanese territory. Officials stressed that calm, security guarantees, and a clear Israeli pullback are needed before moving forward with any new measures.

By Khagan Isayev