EU Plans Three-Year Mission to Advise and Train Lebanese Armed Forces
EU Proposal for Lebanese Security Support Mission
By Lili Bayer
Background and Purpose of the Mission
BRUSSELS, June 24 (Reuters) - The European Union’s diplomatic service has proposed a three-year military and civilian mission to advise and train Lebanese forces, according to a document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
Scope of the Proposed Mission
EU diplomats are discussing a possible mission to help support the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. Any such mission would require approval from the EU’s 27 member countries.
Mandate and Objectives
In a document dated June 17 and circulated to EU member countries, the European External Action Service said a potential mission would "have an initial mandate duration of three years" and "would support the Lebanese authorities in reinforcing territorial control and border security through strengthening the capacities of the LAF and the ISF."
Key Areas of Focus
"To this end, the Mission would focus on strengthening land border regiments; Mobile Force and Regional Gendarmerie Units; enhancing Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities; and reinforcing maritime security capacities, including border and port security governance," it added.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Andrew Gray/Sudip Kar-Gupta)
