a formal EU training mission in Lebanon.. According to sources within Brussels, cited by German publication “Welt”, the mission is tentatively slated to commence in late 2026 or early 2027. An internal document from the European External Action Service (EEAS) outlines the primary objectives as “advice, training and capacity building” for Lebanese security forces.
The proposed mission signals a significant shift in the EU’s engagement with Lebanon, moving beyond primarily humanitarian and economic aid towards a more direct involvement in security sector reform. While details remain nascent, the focus will reportedly include training both military personnel and, crucially, police officers to enhance internal security, maintain order and strengthen border patrols, particularly along the volatile Lebanese-Syrian frontier. A key stipulation, enshrined within the EEAS document, stipulates that EU trainers will be strictly prohibited from utilizing force themselves in maintaining security, defining the mission as “non-executive.
This design explicitly differentiates the proposed mission from any potential role in monitoring the ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon or disarming the Hezbollah militia, a factor likely to draw scrutiny given the organization’s significant influence within the country. Critics are already questioning the effectiveness of a training-only approach given the complex political landscape and the deeply entrenched power structures within Lebanon.
The planning process is already underway. Ambassadorial discussions within the Political and Security Committee (PSC) in Brussels occurred as early as mid-December, with a “fact-finding mission” scheduled for January to assess the on-the-ground situation and refine the mission’s scope and location. The move appears intended to succeed the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate expires at the end of 2026 and is unlikely to be extended, marking a potential power vacuum that the EU now seeks to fill. UNIFIL, at its peak, involved up to 15,000 personnel and a mandate to monitor the cessation of hostilities and enforce Resolution 1701, which prohibited armed groups south of the Litani River. The force has frequently been the target of Israeli military action.
EU diplomats have emphasized that the new mission is “explicitly not” intended as a direct replacement for UNIFIL, stressing the need for “realistic expectations” and acknowledging the limitations of what the EU can achieve. Concerns linger about the potential for the mission to be perceived as a substitute for addressing the underlying political and economic instability fueling Lebanon’s challenges and the persistent threat posed by external actors. The effectiveness of the training initiative will ultimately hinge on its ability to foster genuine reform within Lebanese institutions and navigate the country’s deeply fractured political climate.
