Lebanese President Welcomes EU Decision to Establish New Support Mission in Lebanon
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the European Union's decision to establish a new support mission for the army and internal security forces for a period of three years.
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Beirut, October 12 (KUNA) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun expressed his welcome on Monday for the decision by the foreign ministers of the European Union to establish a new support mission in Lebanon, tasked with providing advice and assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces for a period of three years.
In a statement, President Aoun said, “Lebanon welcomes the European Union’s decision to establish a new mission to support Lebanese security and military institutions,” adding that this decision “reflects a firm European commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability, and confidence in the army and the Internal Security Forces as the legitimate authorities entrusted with protecting the country and its citizens, alongside other legitimate security forces.”
He considered that the mission, with the expertise, training, and advice it will provide, will contribute to “strengthening the capacities of legitimate institutions and extending the state’s authority over its entire territory and securing its borders, in line with the decisions of the Lebanese government and its official discourse on restricting weapons to legitimate forces only.”
President Aoun thanked the European Union and its member states for this step, emphasizing that Lebanon “will provide all necessary cooperation to ensure the success of the mission’s work, and that this support constitutes an additional pillar in the process of consolidating stability and enhancing the role of legitimate institutions.”
Last week, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, who visited Lebanon, stated that the EU “has completed planning for a new mission to provide training and advice to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, following an official invitation from the Lebanese authorities.”
She affirmed that the mission aims to “enhance the authority of the army and security forces over Lebanese territory, border security, and internal security, in accordance with Resolution 1701,” stressing that it “will not replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and will not be limited to the south.” (End) A.Y.B. / N.S.A.
