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The European Union's diplomatic service has proposed a three-year military and civilian mission to advise and train Lebanese forces, including in border and maritime security, according to a document seen by Reuters and reported by the Jerusalem Post. The proposal stems from the EU studying ways to strengthen Lebanon's Internal Security Forces to help free up the Lebanese army to focus on disarming Hezbollah.

Coverage comparison

The Jerusalem Post, citing a document dated June 17 and circulated to EU member countries, reported that the European External Action Service said a potential mission would "have an initial mandate duration of three years" and "would support the Lebanese authorities in reinforcing territorial control and border security through strengthening the capacities of the LAF and the ISF," referring to the armed forces and security forces. The mission would focus on strengthening land border regiments, Mobile Force and Regional Gendarmerie Units, enhancing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities, and reinforcing maritime security capacities.

Separately, TASS — English reported that the United Nations is considering three options for its future mission in Lebanon, citing Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, who told Izvestia that three deployment options are currently under review. Each envisions a contingent consisting of unarmed observers and UN military units responsible for safeguarding them. The key differences concern the size of the contingent, the budget, and the geographic scope of the mission, with the UN deciding whether the force should be stationed only at key positions or patrols the entire border.

Key claims

  • The EU has proposed a three-year military and civilian mission to advise and train Lebanese forces, including in border and maritime security, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The mission would focus on strengthening land border regiments, Mobile Force and Regional Gendarmerie Units, enhancing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities, and reinforcing maritime security capacities, according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • The UN Interim Force in Lebanon's mandate is set to expire at the end of 2026, when it is expected to begin a year-long drawdown and withdrawal, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
  • The EU is not considering replacing UNIFIL, but rather strengthening Lebanese forces, according to the Jerusalem Post. Any such mission would require approval from the EU's 27 member countries.
  • The United Nations is considering three options for its future mission in Lebanon, as reported by TASS — English, citing UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
  • The escalating situation in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel threatens to derail negotiations between the United States and Iran, as reported by TASS — English, citing Izvestia.