UNIFIL: What is the mandate of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon?

UNITED NATIONS, Sept 30 (Reuters) - 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 or UNIFIL - is renewed annually by the 15-member U.N. Security Council. Following a month-long war between Israel and Lebanese militants Hezbollah in 2006, the mandate for UNIFIL was expanded when the council adopted resolution 1701.