The European Union has established a new security mission in Lebanon to help strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF), improve border controls and combat smuggling, as the government seeks to extend State authority across the country.

The European Union Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) will operate under the bloc’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and have an initial mandate of three years. The EU said operational planning would continue before a separate decision is taken to launch the mission and begin its deployment.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the mission would begin working within a couple of months.

“The mission will advise and assist the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces to strengthen territorial control, border security, and internal security,” Kallas said.

She described the initiative as a major upgrade of EU security ties with Lebanon, saying it reflected Europe’s commitment to supporting Lebanese state institutions, restoring full sovereignty and building lasting stability.

The mission follows an invitation from the Lebanese authorities and comes as Beirut seeks to ensure that weapons are held exclusively by legitimate state security forces, a position that has put Hezbollah’s arsenal at the center of a wider debate over state authority.

Military and civilian components

The mission will have two complementary components, a military pillar and a civilian pillar, operating under a unified political mandate.

The military component will advise and train the Lebanese army to strengthen its capabilities in land and maritime border security. Its responsibilities will include border surveillance and control, intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, counter-smuggling operations and coordination among security agencies.

The civilian component will support the Internal Security Forces through specialized training and advice aimed at improving their operational capabilities and developing sustainable training structures.

Its areas of focus will include cybercrime, anti-smuggling operations and port security governance, including at Beirut Port.

The EU said the mission would contribute to peace and security in Lebanon, strengthen state institutions and promote lasting stability in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

It will also support maritime security governance and coordinate with EU institutions, member states, the United Nations and other international partners involved in strengthening Lebanon’s security sector.

The mission is intended to complement existing European assistance, including support provided through the European Peace Facility.

Aoun welcomes EU decision

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the EU’s decision, describing it as a sign of Europe’s continued commitment to Lebanon’s security and stability and its confidence in the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces.

In a statement, Aoun said the mission recognized the role of the army, the ISF and other legitimate security agencies in protecting the country and its citizens.

He said the expertise, training and advice provided by the mission would help strengthen state institutions, extend state authority across Lebanese territory and secure the country’s borders.

Aoun added that the mission was consistent with the Lebanese government’s decisions and official position that weapons should be held exclusively by legitimate security forces.

He thanked the EU and its member states for the initiative and pledged Lebanon’s full cooperation to ensure its success.

The president described the mission as an additional pillar in efforts to consolidate stability and strengthen legitimate institutions, saying Lebanon remained committed to pursuing those goals in partnership with its international allies.

Beirut Port and smuggling concerns

The mission’s focus on border security, intelligence and anti-smuggling operations comes amid concerns over the movement of weapons into Lebanon.

Hezbollah has reportedly shifted toward using Beirut Port to smuggle weapons since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, which had served as a route for overland smuggling. The allegations have raised concerns about the security of Lebanon’s ports and the ability of authorities to monitor the movement of illicit goods.

The EU’s planned assistance on port security, including at Beirut Port, is intended to strengthen oversight and help Lebanese security agencies address such vulnerabilities.

The mission will also seek to improve coordination among security institutions and strengthen their ability to detect and prevent smuggling across land and maritime borders.

From planning to deployment

The EU Council’s decision to establish the mission follows a series of steps to expand European security assistance to Lebanon.

In its conclusions on June 19, 2026, the European Council reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state institutions, including the Lebanese army. It also indicated that the bloc would continue supporting the army through a possible CSDP mission and increased assistance under the European Peace Facility.

On July 24, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept for a possible CSDP mission in Lebanon. Following the invitation from the Lebanese authorities, it has now formally established EUSM Lebanon.

Operational planning will continue before the Council adopts a separate decision authorizing the mission to begin operations.