EU launches military support mission for Lebanon

EU foreign ministers agreed today, Monday, to launch a new EU support mission in Lebanon, with an initial mandate duration of three years.

According to a statement published on the website of the Council of the European Union, this mission will provide advice and assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces to enhance territorial control, border security, and internal security.

The statement affirmed Europe's commitment to Lebanon's future, noting that "through this new mission - which is an important update to our security relations - we continue to support state institutions in restoring full sovereignty and building lasting stability for the Lebanese people."

The European military support force in Lebanon will have a military component and a civilian component, operating under a unified political mandate, while performing complementary tasks in their respective areas of competence, according to the statement.

It clarified that the military component will provide advisory support and training to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces for border security and maritime security, including monitoring and controlling land borders, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, anti-smuggling, and operational coordination.

The civilian pillar will support the Internal Security Forces by providing specialized advisory support and training aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and developing sustainable training structures for these forces, including in areas such as cybercrime and anti-smuggling, according to the statement.

It noted that it will provide support to enhance port security management, including Beirut Port.

According to the statement, the mission will facilitate and complement the assistance provided by the European Union through the European Peace Facility, and will coordinate closely with EU institutions, member states, the United Nations, and other international partners supporting the security sector in Lebanon.

Following today's decision, operational planning will continue with the aim of deploying the mission in the future.

The Council will also take a separate decision to launch the EU Military Support Mission in Lebanon once operational planning is completed.