A European mission in Lebanon during December... and support outside the south

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European countries are preparing to send a security mission to Lebanon, with its vanguards arriving in Beirut by December 25, in a move aimed at supporting the Lebanese army and security forces, amid European arrangements to enhance security cooperation with the Lebanese authorities.

A European diplomat revealed to Al Arabiya / Al Hadath on Friday that the mission will include at least 100 military personnel, with the participation of France, Spain and Italy.

He also indicated that the European Union had received an official request from Lebanon to deploy it, with the force working to support Lebanese security institutions without deploying in the south of the country, adding that the approval of the mission would be announced during the meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg, explaining that this approval represents a necessary legal and political step, and the final stage in the process of preparing for the mission, in light of the consensus of the 27 member states to support it.

The mission comes within the framework of European moves to strengthen the capabilities of Lebanese security institutions, as the European Union's foreign policy official, Kaya Callas, announced in Beirut, on Thursday, the completion of planning for a European mission to train and advise the Lebanese army, in addition to supporting the internal security forces in the areas of territorial control, border security, and internal security. According to a statement by the European External Action Service.

On Monday, October 12, European Union foreign ministers are scheduled to discuss officially approving the mission, after receiving the Lebanese invitation, according to Callas, who stressed that the mission is not a substitute for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The European move coincides with preparations related to the future of the international presence in Lebanon, as UNIFIL’s current mandate expires on December 31, 2026, while the European Union confirms its support for strengthening the capabilities of the Lebanese army and helping the state extend its authority over its entire territory.

Last June, the European Union announced the allocation of an additional 100 million euros to support the Lebanese Armed Forces, within the European Peace Mechanism, to enhance their capabilities in the areas of land surveillance, border security, field awareness, protection of military sites, and health care, according to the Council of the European Union.

The new mission reflects a European trend towards supporting Lebanese institutions, in parallel with discussions related to security arrangements in the country and the future role of international forces, while the details of the deployment of the European force and the size of each country’s contribution remain linked to the completion of official procedures.

On the other hand, Lebanon adheres to the continued international presence in the south, as President Joseph Aoun stressed that his country’s first option is to extend the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). If this is not possible, Beirut welcomes the presence of international forces in the region within a clear legal framework that helps the Lebanese army extend state authority and implement Resolution 1701.

Aoun also warned of the dangers of a security vacuum after the withdrawal of international forces, while Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed the need to find an alternative that guarantees continued stability in the south. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also warned of the repercussions of the end of the UN mission, at a time when the concerned parties are discussing formulas to ensure the continuation of security and stability after the end of UNIFIL’s mandate.