Germany Proposes EU Force to Replace UN Mission in Lebanon

Germany has proposed deploying a European Union force to Lebanon to replace the UN peacekeeping mission after its mandate expires, aiming to prevent a security vacuum, according to Reuters.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the EU should consider establishing a European mandate to succeed the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose current mandate is due to expire on 31 December.

Wadephul said Lebanon's stable government represents one of the region's most encouraging developments and argued that an EU-led mission could help create conditions for an Israeli military withdrawal while preventing Hezbollah from re-establishing its presence.

The proposal comes after Lebanese and Israeli officials held a sixth round of direct ambassador-level talks at the US Embassy in Rome earlier this week, following renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that began in March.

European governments are seeking to preserve stability in southern Lebanon while balancing their relations with both Israel and Lebanon.