The European Union establishes a new mission to support the Lebanese security forces and army

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European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to establish a new support mission in Lebanon aimed at providing advice to the country's army and internal security forces. European Union foreign policy chief Kaya Kallas said in a statement that the mission “will provide advice and assistance to the Lebanese army and internal security forces to strengthen territorial control, border security and internal security,” adding that “Europe is committed to Lebanon’s future.”

The European Union Council indicated that the initial mandate for the mission would be for a period of three years. The mission will include two parts, one civilian and the other military. The Council explained that “the military component will provide advisory support and training to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Army with regard to border security and maritime security,” while the civil component will provide training to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces in areas such as combating cybercrime and combating smuggling.

Callas said last month that more than ten European Union member states had expressed their willingness to contribute resources and personnel to this mission. It is expected that further operational planning will be conducted before the bloc takes a decision to begin the mission's work. A European Union official said on Monday that the bloc hopes to deploy personnel within the framework of the new mission in the coming months.

This mission comes as part of the European Union's study of ways to strengthen the Lebanese Forces, in order to help allow the Lebanese Army to focus on disarming the Hezbollah group. The mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026, at which time a year-long process of troop reduction and withdrawal will begin.