Malta undecided on participation in new EU Lebanon mission

Malta is supporting a recently agreed EU civilian and military mission in Lebanon but any decision on participation will “depend on further assessment”, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

EU foreign ministers decided on 11 October to set up the EU Support Mission in Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon) to strengthen the country’s security forces. The mission will have an initial mandate of three years.

“Further discussions within the EU Foreign Affairs Council and operational planning are required before the mission can be deployed,” a spokesperson for the ministry said.

The spokesperson added that Malta has expressed “support in principle for this peace initiative, which focuses on defensive training and non-lethal assistance”.

Asked whether Malta will be participating, the spokesperson said: “Any decision on Malta’s participation would depend on further assessment, including compatibility with its constitutional neutrality obligations and the availability of resources.”

EUSM Lebanon will have a military pillar and a civilian pillar, operating under a unified political mandate while carrying out complementary tasks.

The military pillar will provide advisory support and training to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces, for border and maritime security. This will include support for land border surveillance and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, counter-smuggling and operational coordination.

The civilian pillar will support the Internal Security Forces through advisory support and specialised training aimed at strengthening operational capabilities and developing sustainable training structures. This support will include areas such as cybercrime and anti-smuggling. It will also provide support to the strengthening of port security governance, including at the Port of Beirut.

The Maltese armed forces have experience operating in Lebanon, where a contingent formed part of the UN mission (UNIFIL) for several years. The Armed Forces of Malta contingent, made up of 10 soldiers, was embedded with the Irish and Polish battalion.

The UN mission will wind down by the end of this year after the expiry of its mandate.

Speaking at the end of the FAC that agreed to set up EUSM Lebanon, Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said Europe is invested in Lebanon’s future.

“With this new mission—a major update of our security ties— we continue to support the country’s institutions in restoring full sovereignty and building lasting stability for the Lebanese people,” she added.