BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 12 (UPI) — The European Union decided Monday to establish a new support mission to advise and strengthen the Lebanese Army and internal security forces for an initial period of three years.
EU Foreign Affaires Ministers agreed to launch a new European Union Support Mission in Lebanon, or EUSM Lebanon, during a meeting in Brussels, according to an EU statement.
Kaja Kallas, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said the mission will advise and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to “strengthen territorial control, border security and internal security.”
“Europe is invested in Lebanon’s future,” Kallas said, adding that with this new mission, the EU continues to support the country’s institutions in “restoring full sovereignty and building lasting stability for the Lebanese people.”
According to the Council of the EU, the mission will have an initial three-year mandate and comprise military and civilian pillars.
The military pillar will provide advisory support and training to strengthen the Lebanese Army’s capabilities in “border security and maritime security,” including intelligence, surveillance and counter-smuggling.
The civilian pillar will support the Internal Security Forces through “advisory support and specialized training” in areas such as cybercrime and anti-smuggling, as well as efforts to strengthen port security governance, including at the Port of Beirut.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the EU’s decision to support the country’s military and security institutions, saying it reflects “Europe’s firm commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability.”
In a statement, Aoun said the EU’s new mission would help strengthen the capabilities of Lebanon’s legitimate institutions, extend the state’s authority across its entire territory, and secure its borders, in line with the government’s decisions on restricting weapons to legitimate security forces.
The EU decision comes as Lebanon seeks to strengthen state control over its territory and disarm Hezbollah, while the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, or UNIIFIL, is to expire at the end of this year.
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BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 12 (UPI) — The European Union decided Monday to establish a new support mission to advise and strengthen the Lebanese Army and internal security forces for an initial period of three years.
EU Foreign Affaires Ministers agreed to launch a new European Union Support Mission in Lebanon, or EUSM Lebanon, during a meeting in Brussels, according to an EU statement.
Kaja Kallas, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said the mission will advise and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to “strengthen territorial control, border security and internal security.”
“Europe is invested in Lebanon’s future,” Kallas said, adding that with this new mission, the EU continues to support the country’s institutions in “restoring full sovereignty and building lasting stability for the Lebanese people.”
According to the Council of the EU, the mission will have an initial three-year mandate and comprise military and civilian pillars.
The military pillar will provide advisory support and training to strengthen the Lebanese Army’s capabilities in “border security and maritime security,” including intelligence, surveillance and counter-smuggling.
The civilian pillar will support the Internal Security Forces through “advisory support and specialized training” in areas such as cybercrime and anti-smuggling, as well as efforts to strengthen port security governance, including at the Port of Beirut.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the EU’s decision to support the country’s military and security institutions, saying it reflects “Europe’s firm commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability.”
In a statement, Aoun said the EU’s new mission would help strengthen the capabilities of Lebanon’s legitimate institutions, extend the state’s authority across its entire territory, and secure its borders, in line with the government’s decisions on restricting weapons to legitimate security forces.
The EU decision comes as Lebanon seeks to strengthen state control over its territory and disarm Hezbollah, while the mandate of the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, or UNIIFIL, is to expire at the end of this year.
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