Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, during her visit to Lebanon, stressed the importance of preventing a security vacuum and extending the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission in southern Lebanon. During this visit, she met and discussed with senior Lebanese officials and expressed the concerns of EU member states regarding the end of the UNIFIL mission.
Training Mission for the Lebanese Army
Kallas announced that the European Union will soon launch a training mission for the Lebanese army, describing this action as a "major enhancement in security relations" with Lebanon. The Lebanese army, facing financial challenges and limited resources, requires international support to complete its deployment in southern Lebanon based on a framework agreement signed in June between Lebanon and Israel.
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Concerns About the End of the UNIFIL Mission
Kallas stated, "EU member states believe that there should be no security vacuum in southern Lebanon, and thus there are concerns about the end of the UNIFIL mission." She added, "The extension of this mission will be very welcomed, and this is the position of the member states." The UN Interim Force in Lebanon, which has been stationed in the country since 1978, currently has about 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries, although its presence has not prevented the resurgence of conflicts.
Kallas also noted that under pressure from the United States, the UN Security Council voted last year to end the UNIFIL mission on December 31, 2026. She added, "Since there is still no international force ready to monitor the existing agreements between the parties, it is dangerous for a mission like UNIFIL to end while another has not yet begun."
Lebanese officials have repeatedly called for the extension of this mission, and President Joseph Aoun's office announced that he told Kallas that Lebanon "hopes for EU support to find an alternative formula" after the end of the UNIFIL mission. France and Italy, which are among the main supporters of UNIFIL, have previously stated that they are ready to form a multinational coalition to succeed this force.
Finally, Kallas emphasized that the EU's training and advisory mission will soon be launched and that this mission will in no way replace peacekeeping forces. She expressed hope that this mission would be ready by the end of this year.
