Dublin, September 01 (QNA) - The European Union said Tuesday it intends to create a mission tasked with training the Lebanese military throughout the upcoming months, highlighting that it wouldn't supersede the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Following the meeting of the bloc's defense ministers in Ireland, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the ministers deliberated on plans to launch a new EU mission to provide counseling to the Lebanese armed forces and train them in the field of border and maritime security.

Kallas further explained that the EU wouldn't compensate for UNIFIL forces but rather invest in Lebanon's capability to provide self-security, emphasizing that the planning for this mission is moving steadfastly, as almost ten nations showed their readiness to participate in this mission.

The European official clarified that the EU hopefully intends to take an official decision to launch this mission in October 2026.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had affirmed that Lebanon would continue to need a peacekeeping force after UNIFIL's mandate expires and it draws down, while France and Italy had previously expressed their desire to establish a multinational force to supersede UNIFIL.

Deployed in Lebanon since 1978, UNIFIL is comprised of approximately 7,500 personnel from almost 50 countries. However, in August 2025, the UN Security Council decided to terminate its mandate by the end of 2026. (QNA)