EU agrees new security mission in Lebanon as UN peacekeepers prepare to leave
EU Agrees New Security Mission for Lebanon as UNIFIL Winds Down
Poinews.com – The EU agrees new security mission for Lebanon as the United Nations prepares to end UNIFIL’s mandate at the close of 2026. European foreign ministers approved plans for a civilian and military operation intended to strengthen Lebanese institutions during a sensitive period for the country’s security.
The proposal was agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday. Its final mandate, command structure and staffing arrangements are still under discussion, but officials hope the mission can begin work within a few months.
Supporting Lebanese security institutions
The planned operation is not intended to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL. Instead, the EU mission would help Lebanese authorities take on a larger role in managing security challenges and protecting the country’s borders and coastline.
“We will establish a new mission in Lebanon. It has a civilian and military pillar,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of the meeting in Luxembourg.
Kallas said Lebanese authorities had welcomed the initiative and expressed hope that personnel could be working on the ground “in a couple of months.” The mission is expected to operate under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, which governs the bloc’s overseas civilian and military missions.
Its initial mandate could last up to three years and may be renewed. EU member states would choose voluntarily whether to contribute personnel, equipment or other assistance. Brussels is considering a force of about 150 people, significantly smaller than UNIFIL’s current presence of roughly 7,500 peacekeepers.
Border, maritime and drone security priorities
The EU agrees new security mission with practical priorities that include land-border protection, maritime security, counter-drone work and training for Lebanese personnel. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot said the operation would also support Lebanese police in their everyday duties.
“It will have a number of tasks to carry out over a period of up to three years, namely strengthening border security, ensuring maritime security and combating drones,” Barrot said.
The civilian and military elements would not be deployed in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues military operations against Hezbollah. That distinguishes the proposed EU presence from UNIFIL, which has long operated near the Israel-Lebanon frontier alongside the Lebanese Armed Forces.
UNIFIL’s expected departure has raised questions about how stability will be maintained in the border area. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called for its mandate to be extended, while Israel has argued for years that the peacekeeping force has not done enough to prevent Hezbollah activity. The United States has also questioned the force’s role and favoured a security arrangement negotiated directly by Israel and Lebanon.
European participation remains undecided
Countries that already contribute to UNIFIL, including Italy, France, Spain, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Finland and Poland, have expressed interest in maintaining some form of presence in Lebanon. However, the final list of participating countries and the mission’s leadership have not been decided.
The EU agrees new security mission proposal with an emphasis on building Lebanese capacity rather than recreating UNIFIL’s large-scale deployment model. Its effectiveness will depend on the final mandate, participating states and the security conditions facing Lebanese forces.
FAQ: What the EU mission could mean for Lebanon
When could the new EU mission begin? EU officials hope it can start work within a few months, although details including staffing and command arrangements are still being negotiated.
Will the mission replace UNIFIL? No. The EU says the operation is designed to support Lebanese institutions, not to replace the UN peacekeeping force.
Where will the mission focus its work? Planned priorities include border protection, maritime security, counter-drone measures, training and support for Lebanese police and security personnel.