EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to establish a civilian and military mission in Lebanon as the United Nations prepares to conclude its longstanding peacekeeping operation. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said deployment could begin within months and that Lebanese authorities welcomed the initiative. The mission will strengthen border and maritime security, counter drones, train Lebanese security forces, and assist police in their daily duties. Its precise mandate, staffing, and command structure have yet to be finalized.
Officials are considering approximately 150 personnel, compared with the roughly 7,500 peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, or UNIFIL. The EU operation is expected to fall under its Common Security and Defense Policy, with an initial mandate of up to three years, renewable thereafter. Member states would contribute personnel and equipment voluntarily. EU officials emphasize that the mission is intended to reinforce Lebanon's own capabilities, not replace UNIFIL, whose mandate expires at the end of 2026. Unlike the UN force, it will not deploy in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues its military campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has requested an extension of the UN operation.
Participation remains unsettled, although several countries already contributing to UNIFIL have expressed interest in retaining a presence. One proposal would rotate leadership among Italy, France, and Spain. France and Italy announced a separate international coalition initiative in June, but its relationship with the EU mission remains unclear. Ireland has indicated willingness to contribute civilian personnel, while reforms governing overseas troop deployments could complicate military participation.
