UNIFIL: following Italia and France, Spain too is open to a European-led mission in Lebanon

Spain is open to the idea – also supported by Italia and France – of launching a new European mission in Lebanon, in view of the expiry of the UNIFIL mandate at the end of the year. Madrid is also proposing a second solution, which, however, currently appears unlikely to be feasible as it is not supported by the US and Israel: the renewal of the UN mission.

On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in ‘Defence’ format, which took place on Monday 28 September in Brussels, the Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto met with his Spanish counterpart, Margarita Robles Fernández. “Focus on Lebanon, ahead of the expiry of the UNIFIL mission. Italy and Spain agree on the need to work together towards a solution that will preserve the international commitment in Lebanon, considering either the renewal of the mission or the launch of a new initiative under European auspices,” Crosetto wrote on X following the meeting. “Also at the centre of the discussions,” the post continues, “were the strengthening of European defence, maritime security and the contribution to the EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and ASPIDES naval missions, in which Italia and Spain are at the forefront in safeguarding security and freedom of navigation.”

Against the backdrop of discussions on Lebanon’s future and the transition following the end of UNIFIL, the possibility of a new EU mission (primarily focused on supporting, training and strengthening the Lebanese armed forces) is therefore beginning to take shape. Italia and France are the main proponents of this scenario.

On the occasion of the Italia-Francia Intergovernmental Summit held in Antibes on 25 June, and noting that UNIFIL’s mandate has come to a natural end against a backdrop of extreme tension and risks on the ground, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron decided to promote and launch a new international coalition. On the crisis in Lebanon, “Italia and France can make a difference,” Meloni emphasised on that occasion, “the UNIFIL mission will end at the end of the year” and we have decided to “launch a coalition to support Lebanon post-UNIFIL, with a view to organising an international conference soon,” the Prime Minister continued. With the end of UNIFIL’s mandate approaching, ‘we must set our sights on new horizons and begin to work with the Lebanese authorities to develop a solution that supports the Lebanese security forces and, on the basis of this programme, seek to establish the broadest possible cooperation – a multinational force operating alongside the Lebanese armed forces’, added Macron. “The mandate must be as clear as possible, and the mission as effective as possible, with the aim of ensuring Lebanon’s survival, its territorial integrity, and implementing what President Aoun has stated from the very first day of his term: the monopoly on the use of force in the hands of the Lebanese Armed Forces,” concluded the French President. “Our commitment is to remain in Lebanon even after the UNIFIL mission,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasised in August. “We want to ensure that the territory is returned to Beirut’s sovereignty.”

At the conclusion of the informal Defence Council meeting held on 1 September, the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas had made an initial statement. ‘The ministers,’ she explained at the time, ‘discussed our plans for a new EU mission aimed at providing advice and training to the Lebanese armed forces, including on border and maritime issues. The EU,’ she added, ‘does not intend to replace UNIFIL. We are investing in Lebanon’s ability to ensure its own security independently. Our aim is to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanese state’s capacity to ensure security across its entire territory.” Planning, Kallas added, is “progressing well” and a decision is expected by October.