Lebanon requests EU to establish security mission after exit from FINUL

A head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, today announced that Lebanon formally invited the 27 to set up a new mission in the country in the face of the withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (FINUL), scheduled for 2027.

In Beirut, where he is visiting, he confirmed that the planning of the European mission has already been completed and that Brussels has received the formal invitation from the Lebanese authorities needed to proceed with its establishment.

The call is to set up a new security mission in Lebanon to advise and train the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, an initiative that Brussels may approve next Monday.

“I am pleased that we now have the formal invitation from the Lebanese authorities, which allows us to move forward,” said the head of European diplomacy at a press conference, who expressed confidence that the EU Foreign Ministers will formally approve the mission during their meeting next Monday in Luxembourg.

The European mission will aim to advise and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and internal security forces to strengthen control of the territory, border surveillance and internal security of the country in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

However, Kallas indicated that the initiative will not imply a replacement of FINUL, whose mandate will end in 2027, nor will it be limited to acting in the south of the country, where the UN's blue helmets are currently deployed.

Southern Lebanon is considered a stronghold of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement, which allows it to attack northern Israel, a country that has made numerous military incursions in the region.

Asked about the future of security in southern Lebanon, Kallas defended the need to maintain an international presence after the completion of the United Nations mission, although he acknowledged that the characteristics and mandate that a possible replacement force should have are still under discussion.

In this regard, he pointed out that EU Member States currently contributing to FINUL could participate in a future international force, although he insisted that any such posting should have a mandate from the United Nations and national parliaments.

“ The best thing would be to extend the mandate of FINUL because, as I said, a security void is not something we want to see”, lamented the High Representative, who recalled the role played by the United Nations mission for nearly five decades.