EU Establishes Three-Year Mission to Support Lebanon's Army and Security Forces

The EU Council approved EUSM Lebanon on October 12 with an initial three-year mandate to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. Its military and civilian components will advise on territorial control, border security, counter-smuggling and internal security, including cybercrime and port security. Operational planning continues, and a separate decision is required before the mission launches on the ground. In an October 8 official briefing, EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas linked support for Lebanese territorial control to Hezbollah's disarmament. She also called for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and lasting security for Lebanon and Israel.