Ireland ‘absolutely’ backing EU mission in Lebanon, minister says

Ireland is “absolutely” among EU member states willing to contribute to a European mission in Lebanon.

A senior EU diplomat has said that more than 10 member states have expressed an interest in contributing to a new mission in Lebanon after the expiry of the UN mandate there.

The operational mandate for the Unifil (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon) mission, in which Irish peacekeepers are deployed, is currently scheduled to end on New Year’s Eve, with a subsequent drawdown and withdrawal expected to take place in 2027.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told reporters on Tuesday that member states had discussed plans for a new EU mission to advise and train Lebanon’s armed forces, including on border and maritime security.

Ms Kallas was speaking at a meeting of Defence Ministers in Wicklow as part of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

She said: “The EU is not seeking to replace Unifil – we are investing in Lebanon’s capacity to provide security for itself.

“Our objective is to strengthen the Lebanese armed forces and the ability of the Lebanese state to provide security across its territory.

“Planning is progressing well, and we aim for the Council decision to launch in October.”

Irish Defence Minister Helen McEntee said Ireland is “absolutely” among the countries willing to contribute, amid a “desire to ensure that Irish peacekeepers remain on the ground”.

She told reporters: “I utterly regret the fact that the Unifil mission is coming to an end.”

Asked at a press conference about how a mission in Lebanon would work and be funded, Ms Kallas said: “We are working on that and today there was a lot of commitment around the table.

“We are not replacing Unifil – the idea is to really strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and also the Lebanese government to take the order in Lebanon under control which means also training, supporting their border control, their internal forces to actually establish order.”

She added: “We are, of course, in close contact with the Lebanese government – what they need from their side – and what the member states are willing to contribute.

“But there were more than 10 countries – when I counted – who are willing to contribute resources, and people as well.

“Because it is easy to open a mission but then it is also what we fill this mission with.”

Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One News, Ms McEntee warned instability in Lebanon would continue if the “space” left by the Unifl is not “filled”.

“We have a number of proposals on the table. Ireland – working closely with Spain and Austria – have actually put forward a proposal as to what types of missions may be possible.

“What’s really important is that we agree them.

“But can I just say, from an Irish perspective, we need to make sure that we are in a position to be part of those missions in every way possible, and that’s something that I’ll be working with colleagues in Government on in the time ahead.”