The first contingent of a European security mission comprising more than 100 military personnel is expected to arrive in Beirut by the end of the year, a European diplomat told Al Hadath.

The mission will support the Lebanese Armed Forces and the country’s security services but will not deploy in southern Lebanon, the diplomat said.

France, Spain and Italy are among the countries contributing personnel to the mission, according to the diplomat.

The European Union has received a formal request from Lebanon to deploy the security mission, the diplomat added.