Germany Proposes EU Peacekeeping Mission to Replace UNIFIL in Lebanon

Germany has proposed the establishment of a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon under the auspices of the European Union after the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) ends, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Friday. At the end of June, the German parliament approved extending the country’s military participation in the UNIFIL mission until 31 December 2026, after which the operational mission will conclude. “We need to discuss within the EU whether we can ensure there is no security vacuum in Lebanon after the UNIFIL mission ends,” Wadephul said in an interview with the RND media group. According to Wadephul, Lebanon is currently beginning to show signs of stabilisation. He said that as part of Europe, Germany must “do everything in its power to ensure this process continues to move in a positive direction.” On 24 April, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the European Union was considering sending its own mission to southern Lebanon once UNIFIL completes its mandate. At the end of August 2025, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL’s mandate until 31 December 2026, after which the mission will begin a phased withdrawal over the course of one year. The current UNIFIL peacekeeping contingent comprises more than 10,000 personnel from 48 countries.