Lebanon’s President and Prime Minister Reportedly Pursue EU Force to Replace UNIFIL

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are reportedly working to advance a military-cooperation agreement with the European Union. The reported plan would place a European force in Lebanon after UNIFIL’s mandate ends at the close of 2026. Aoun is said to be relying on U.S. support, while Washington prefers participation by selected European states, including Italy, and the proposal was discussed during Aoun’s meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Salam said Lebanon is seeking international support for its army and called for one army, one flag and one state.