EU supports extension of UNIFIL mandate amid fears of security vacuum in southern Lebanon

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Thursday from Beirut that EU member states support extending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) as its current mission nears completion, fearing a “security vacuum” amid escalating tensions with Israel.

The EU plans to launch a mission to train the Lebanese army and security forces, a step Kallas said would represent a “qualitative leap” in security relations with Lebanon, which is burdened by a series of consecutive crises.

Kallas’s visit to Beirut, where she met with several officials including President Joseph Aoun, comes as Lebanon urges the UN Security Council to extend UNIFIL’s mandate, which is set to expire by the end of the year, while Israel continues to occupy large areas in southern Lebanon since its last war with Hezbollah.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse on the sidelines of her visit to Lebanon, Kallas said, “Member states have long stated that a security vacuum in southern Lebanon cannot be allowed, so everyone is concerned about the end of UNIFIL’s mission.”

She added, “An extension of this mandate would be greatly welcomed, and that is the position of member states in the Union.”

UNIFIL, deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, comprises approximately 7,500 personnel from nearly 50 countries. However, its presence has not prevented several conflicts between Israel and Tehran-backed Hezbollah.

Under US pressure, the UN Security Council decided in August 2025 to terminate UNIFIL’s mandate by December 31, 2026.

On March 2, Lebanon entered the war after Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel, which it said were in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the initial US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Israel responded with a heavy bombing campaign that killed more than 4,300 people and led to a ground offensive by its forces, which occupied dozens of towns and villages in southern Lebanon and carried out widespread destruction.

Hostilities de-escalated following a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States in June, and the signing of a framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel that calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from areas it has infiltrated in southern Lebanon, and the deployment of the Lebanese army starting from two “pilot” areas. This process has yet to make progress.

Under the agreement, a verification committee must confirm that the concerned parties are fulfilling their commitments before advancing implementation.

Kallas said, “A verification body must be established to determine whether the two sides are adhering to their agreements.”

She added, “As long as no international force is yet ready to carry out that role, the situation becomes dangerous when one mission, such as UNIFIL, ends while another has not yet begun.”

Israel continues to keep its forces in an area it classifies as “security” in southern Lebanon, extending up to ten kilometers from its border, which Lebanon demands Israel withdraw from.

During his meeting with Kallas, Aoun thanked the EU for its efforts “to prevent a vacuum in the post-UNIFIL phase,” emphasizing that Lebanon relies on European support “to find an alternative arrangement.”

France and Italy, the two largest European contributors to the international force, are exploring ways to maintain an international presence in southern Lebanon to avoid any “security vacuum” in this sensitive area upon the expiration of UNIFIL’s mandate.

As part of enabling the Lebanese Armed Forces to perform their duties and ensure security in Lebanon, the EU intends to establish a training and support mission, which Kallas clarified would not serve as a replacement for UNIFIL.

Kalas said that a meeting would be held next Monday with the foreign ministers of the European Union to make final efforts to “launch this” civilian-military mission, which “we hope will be ready by the end of this year,” and that its work would not be limited to the south of the country alone.

She clarified, “Our focus is on supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to establish their control over the country and maintain security,” adding, “This means training as well as working to enhance the capabilities of these elements.”

When asked whether this support would enable the army to disarm Hezbollah, Kalas stated that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are of paramount importance. Therefore, the Lebanese government must be the entity that provides services and takes charge of controlling the country.”

During a press conference with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rassi, Kalas said, “Lebanon must assert its full control over all its territory. This also means moving forward toward the disarmament of Hezbollah.”

The European Union is a major supporter of Lebanon, providing assistance across several sectors. Kalas noted that the EU announced in September the provision of 505 million euros in financial aid until 2027, complementing a package of 1 billion euros announced in 2024.

Lebanon is the third-largest beneficiary of support from the EU Facility.