More than 10 EU countries 'eager to contribute to Lebanon mission'

More than ten European Union nations are eager to contribute both resources and personnel to a new military and civilian mission aimed at advising and training Lebanese forces, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The mission intends to strengthen Lebanon's Internal Security Forces, allowing the Lebanese army to focus on disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Planning for the mission is progressing well, with the European Council expected to make a decision in October, Kallas stated after a meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Ireland.

Irish Foreign and Defence Minister Helen McEntee emphasized the importance of not leaving a void after the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's scheduled withdrawal on December 31. The US had vetoed the renewal of Unifil's mandate last year following nearly fifty years of deployment in southern Lebanon. McEntee stressed the need for an agreement to be reached soon to avoid any gaps in regional security.

The initiative is not intended to replace Unifil, Kallas clarified, but rather to assist Lebanese security forces in establishing order and enhancing border and maritime security. She added that more than ten countries have expressed willingness to contribute resources and personnel, according to her count. Lebanon is reportedly open to extending Unifil's mandate, which would require approval from the UN Security Council. However, the US position on this matter remains ambiguous.

France, currently holding the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council, is reportedly open to supporting an extension of Unifil, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating that France would back the extension in discussions with Lebanese authorities. France and Italy have also announced a joint initiative to create an international coalition to replace Unifil, in coordination with the EU and NATO, to bolster the Lebanese state.

This initiative, supported by the Lebanese leadership but opposed by Israel, aims to address growing international concerns over the prospect of Unifil's withdrawal.