Full story
EU plans Lebanon mission
The European Union is planning a new military and civilian mission to support Lebanon’s armed forces as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends, with UNIFIL’s mandate due to expire at the end of December after 48 years.
“UNIFIL is coming to an end in December after 48 years”
The Journal reports that General Seán Clancy, chair of the European Union Military Committee, said the operation would involve “a combination of a civil and military approach from the EU” and would start “relatively modest” before evolving.
Clancy said the military side would “support the Lebanese Armed Forces to free up the internal security forces to do their job,” while border-area support would help in those areas.
Kaja Kalas, the EU’s Foreign Affairs chief, said the plan is not designed “to replace UNIFIL” and instead aims to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese government to establish order.
The Journal also said more than 300 Irish soldiers are deployed with a multinational force across locations on the contested Lebanon/Israel border, including near the Irish base UNP 2-45 in areas such as Bint Jbeil and At Tiri.
Kallas: not replacing UNIFIL
Kaja Kallas told reporters after a meeting of European defence ministers in Ireland that “The EU is not seeking to replace UNIFIL,” and said the objective is “to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces and the ability of the Lebanese state to provide security across its territory.”
AnewZ reported that an EU official said the bloc was aiming to establish the mission in mid-October, with personnel potentially deployed towards the end of 2026 or in early 2027.
Kallas said the EU was examining ways to provide training and advice to the Lebanese armed forces as the United Nations prepares to wind down its peacekeeping operation in the country.
The Journal added that Kallas said ten countries had come forward and that it is “easy to open a mission, but then it’s also what we will fill this mission with,” while Defence and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said there must be agreement on the mission soon.
Citizen Digital likewise quoted Kallas saying the EU is “investing in Lebanon's capacity to provide security for itself,” and said planning is progressing well with some 10 countries expressing interest in participating.
UNIFIL drawdown and stakes
The Journal said UNIFIL’s mandate is not being renewed after the Netanyahu government in Israel pressured the United States to not support continuing the peacekeeping mission, and it described Israel’s bombing campaign and ground force occupation in the south under the guise of targeting Hezbollah.
“Ireland is “absolutely” among EU member states willing to contribute”
It also said the expansionist move by the Israeli military has established a buffer zone where they have levelled towns and villages leaving thousands homeless, including Bint Jbeil and At Tiri near the Irish base UNP 2-45.
Limerick Leader reported that Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said Ireland is “absolutely” among EU member states willing to contribute to a European mission in Lebanon, while also warning on RTÉ’s Six One News that instability would continue if the “space” left by UNIFIL is not “filled.”
The Journal said Clancy believes UNIFIL will not get a last-minute reprieve and there will be a drawdown of the more than 7,400 troops from 46 countries.
In the same reporting, Kaja Kalas said the EU has been liaising with the Lebanese government and that discussions focus on finding out exactly what President Joseph Aoun’s government needs.