Lebanon’s government is considering a proposal to establish a European civilian and military mission in the country for three years, according to a Foreign Ministry document obtained by Al Modon, as European and Arab military officials meet in Paris to assess the needs of the Lebanese army and discuss arrangements following the end of the U.N. peacekeeping mission UNIFIL.

The proposal is due to be discussed by the Cabinet during its session on Thursday after the Foreign Ministry asked that the issue be added to the agenda.

The proposed mission would seek to help Lebanon fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in 2006, strengthen State institutions and authority, and reinforce the State’s monopoly on weapons by supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces in extending their control across Lebanese territory, according to the document.

The proposal comes as military leaders and officials from European and Arab countries hold talks in Paris on the future of international support for Lebanon’s security institutions and the approaching end of UNIFIL’s mission.

The Foreign Ministry document makes clear that the proposed European mission would not be a combat force or have an executive role on the ground.

Instead, it would have an advisory and training mandate aimed at providing expertise, facilitating the exchange of experience and strengthening the operational and institutional capabilities of the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces.

Its responsibilities would focus primarily on border security, including Lebanon’s land and maritime borders, as well as the management of ports and border crossings, combating smuggling and developing intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

The aim would be to enable the Lebanese army to concentrate on its broader defense responsibilities while helping the government extend its authority, implement Resolution 1701 and ensure that weapons are held exclusively by the State.

Separate from UNIFIL

The Foreign Ministry document stresses that the proposed European mission would be distinct from UNIFIL and would neither replace the U.N. force nor overlap with its mandate.

Its proposed area of operations would also exclude the region south of the Litani River because of security and logistical considerations arising from the current situation, according to the document.

The proposal would require a number of legal and political steps before it could be implemented.

Lebanon would first have to issue a formal government decision addressed to the European Union requesting the creation of the mission. Beirut and the EU would then need to sign a Status of Mission Agreement, or SOMA, to provide the personnel with the necessary privileges and immunities.

Lebanon would also have to ensure suitable security conditions for the mission to operate.

The proposal has received preliminary approval and a positive response from the Defense and Interior ministries and the relevant security agencies, according to the Foreign Ministry document.

That support prompted the ministry to recommend that the Cabinet formally examine the proposal and decide how to proceed.

The initiative comes as Lebanon faces a broader debate over the future of security arrangements in the south, the role of the Lebanese army and the implementation of Resolution 1701.

The proposed European mission would therefore be focused not only on training and technical assistance but also on strengthening Lebanon’s state institutions and their ability to exercise authority throughout the country.

For now, however, the proposal remains subject to a Cabinet decision and subsequent negotiations with European partners over its mandate, composition, legal status and operating arrangements.