European Union establishes support mission for Lebanon

The European Union has approved a new military-civilian mission to support Lebanon for an initial three-year term. Led by discussions involving France, Italy, and Germany, the mission aims to provide training and expertise to the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. Its primary focus includes enhancing border and coastal security, combating smuggling, and strengthening state institutions.

This mission is distinct from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Officials have clarified that the EU mission will not replace UNIFIL, which is facing a mandate expiration at the end of 2026. While UNIFIL maintains a field presence in the south, the EU mission will focus on institutional support and training rather than operational field deployment.

U.S. approval for the mission is reportedly contingent on a specific scope: the EU personnel will focus on training Lebanese security forces to handle administrative and security tasks, allowing the Lebanese military to redistribute its capabilities toward priorities identified by Washington, such as increasing state control and addressing the presence of Hezbollah. The mission is expected to begin its activities in late 2026 or early 2027.