EU Backs UN Peacekeeper Extension in Lebanon Amid Security Fears

The European Union supports extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), stated EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Beirut on Thursday. With UNIFIL's mission nearing its end, the EU fears a security vacuum in southern Lebanon due to ongoing Israeli escalation. Kallas announced that the EU plans to launch a mission to train the Lebanese army and security forces, a move she described as a "qualitative leap in the security relationship" with Lebanon, which is burdened by successive crises.

Kallas's visit to Beirut included meetings with officials, including President Joseph Aoun. Lebanon has requested the UN Security Council extend UNIFIL's mandate, which expires at the end of the year. The EU's position, as articulated by Kallas, is that "member states have always said that a security vacuum in southern Lebanon cannot be allowed," and therefore, "everyone is concerned about the end of UNIFIL's mission." She added that the extension "would be very welcome and this is the position of the member states."

UNIFIL, deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, comprises approximately 7,500 personnel from about 50 countries. Despite its presence, conflicts have occurred between Israel and Hezbollah. In August 2025, the UN Security Council decided, under U.S. pressure, to end UNIFIL's mandate by December 31, 2026. The article also references a March 2 conflict involving Hezbollah rockets and Israeli airstrikes, followed by a tentative framework agreement for Hezbollah disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, which has seen no progress.

Kallas emphasized the need for verification of any agreements, stating, "As long as there is no international force ready to do this... the situation becomes dangerous when one mission, like UNIFIL, ends while another mission has not yet begun." Israel currently maintains forces in a designated "security zone" in southern Lebanon, which Lebanon demands it withdraw from.

Lebanon's President Aoun thanked the EU for its efforts to "avoid a vacuum in the post-UNIFIL phase" and expressed Lebanon's reliance on European support for an alternative solution. France and Italy, major European contributors to UNIFIL, are exploring ways to maintain an international presence. The EU's planned training and support mission, distinct from UNIFIL, aims to bolster the Lebanese armed forces and internal security forces. Kallas indicated that a meeting of EU foreign ministers is scheduled for the upcoming Monday to finalize efforts to launch this mission, which could be operational by year-end and will focus on enabling the Lebanese government to assert control over the entire country, including moving towards Hezbollah's disarmament.

The EU is a significant supporter of Lebanon, having pledged 505 million euros in financial aid until 2027, in addition to a 1 million euro package announced in 2024. Lebanon is the third-largest beneficiary of EU facility support.