EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to establish a civilian and military mission in Lebanon, aimed at strengthening the country’s security forces as the United Nations prepares to withdraw its peacekeepers. The operation could deploy within months, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said Lebanese authorities welcomed the initiative. Its proposed responsibilities include border and maritime security, counter-drone operations, training security forces and supporting the Lebanese police in their daily duties.
The mission will not operate in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues its military campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. EU officials stress that it is not intended to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL, whose mandate expires at the end of 2026. UNIFIL has served as a buffer between Israel and Lebanon, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has requested an extension. Israel has criticised the force’s effectiveness in containing Hezbollah, while the United States favours a security arrangement directly between Israel and Lebanon.
The EU is considering approximately 150 personnel, compared with around 7,500 UNIFIL peacekeepers. Expected to operate under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, the mission would have an initial mandate of up to three years, renewable thereafter. Member states would contribute personnel and equipment voluntarily. Its precise remit, staffing and command arrangements remain unresolved, although one proposal envisages rotating leadership between Italy, France and Spain. Several countries already contributing to UNIFIL have expressed interest in maintaining a presence in Lebanon.
