As the end of the operations of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approaches, intense discussions are taking shape behind the scenes of European diplomacy about the nature of the Union’s expected role in the next stage.
In this context, Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels quoted a high-ranking European diplomat as confirming that the European security mission under discussion will not be a substitute for the UN force, but rather aims to provide support and support to the Lebanese army in dealing with the Hezbollah weapons file, indicating that a final decision has not yet been taken regarding the authorization of this mission or the timing of its launch.
According to data, the current discussions center around the contribution of European countries to providing training programs, human resources, and logistical support to the Lebanese army and security services, in order to enhance their capabilities to maintain stability, extend the authority of the state alone in the regions of the south, and confine weapons to its hands. The European Union institutions had previously announced the provision of tangible support to enhance the army’s capabilities and its deployment in the southern region.
These diplomatic moves come in the wake of the UN Security Council’s decision to extend UNIFIL’s mandate for the last time until December 31, 2026. According to the decision, the force will stop carrying out its operations on that date, after which it will begin implementing an orderly and safe withdrawal that will be completed within a full year, which means that the end of the operations will not coincide with the immediate departure of all elements.
In the same context, the European Union’s foreign policy official, Kaya Kallas, had confirmed the Union’s readiness to discuss the creation of a new mission to support the Lebanese military establishment after the end of the role of UNIFIL, pointing out that the decision to send an integrated mission is still subject to discussion, awaiting the results of the agreements between the countries concerned regarding the form of the European role and its executive powers.
