❗️EU launches three-year security mission in Lebanon to bolster army and internal security forces

The European Union has established a new security support mission in Lebanon with a three-year mandate to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces, as Brussels seeks to expand its role in the country's military and civilian security institutions.

The EU Council approved the EU Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon), which it says will contribute to stability and support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the mission would advise and assist Lebanon's security institutions in strengthening territorial control, border security and internal security, describing it as a major update to EU-Lebanon security ties.

Its military pillar will provide training and advisory support to the Lebanese Army, including on maritime security, land border surveillance, intelligence gathering and counter-smuggling, while its civilian pillar will focus on developing the operational capabilities and training structures of the Internal Security Forces.

The mission will operate under a unified political mandate, with separate military and civilian components carrying out complementary tasks. Operational planning will now continue ahead of deployment, the EU said.