EU top diplomat says bloc in favour of UN Lebanon peacekeepers' extension
Kaja Kallas said the bloc wants no security vacuum as UNIFIL ends, and it will soon launch a training mission for Lebanon’s army.
- On Thursday, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed planning for a new EU military mission in Lebanon is complete, with foreign ministers expected to formally establish the operation on October 12.
- Following the UN Security Council's decision to end the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon's mandate on December 31, 2026, the mission addresses concerns over a potential security vacuum in the region.
- Kallas emphasized the EU deployment is not a direct UNIFIL replacement, but rather a training and advisory initiative focused on strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces and maintaining sovereignty.
- Competition has emerged between France and Italy to lead the operation, with both nations seeking command of the joint EU effort according to reports published on Thursday.
- Since 2022, the bloc has committed €182 million to the Lebanese Armed Forces through the European Peace Facility, reflecting ongoing support for stability in the Mediterranean country.
32 Articles
32 Articles
NEW EUROPEAN MISSION: EU Plans To Train Lebanese Army As UN Peacekeeping Operation Approaches Its End
The European Union has announced plans to establish a new support mission for Lebanon’s armed forces, responding to a request from the Lebanese government as the United Nations peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon approaches the end of its mandate, the Associated Press reports. The proposed European mission would focus on training and advising Lebanese military […]
European Union Foreign Policy Officer Kaya Callas announced today, Thursday, that the States of the Union support the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL) as its tasks near the end of late this year, in order to avoid a security vacuum in the south of the country.
The planning of the new EU support mission to train and advise the Lebanese armed forces has been completed. (ANSA)
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