European Union Foreign Ministers have agreed to establish a new support mission in Lebanon aimed at advising and training the country’s military and internal security forces.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement that the mission “will advise and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to strengthen territorial control, border security and internal security. Europe is invested in Lebanon’s future.”
The EU Council said the mission would have an initial three-year mandate and comprise civilian and military pillars.
“The military pillar will provide advisory support and training to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces, for border security and maritime security,” they stated.
The civilian pillar would provide training for Lebanon’s Internal Security Forces in areas such as cybercrime and anti-smuggling.
Kallas said last month that more than 10 EU members were willing to contribute resources and people to the mission.
He said; “More operational planning is expected before the bloc makes a decision to launch the mission’s work.”
Report said on Monday that the bloc hoped to deploy personnel under the new mission in the coming months.
The mission stems from the EU studying ways to strengthen Lebanese forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the militia group Hezbollah.
The mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon is set to expire at the end of 2026, when it is expected to begin a year-long drawdown and withdrawal.
Reuters
