Germany Proposes EU Force to Replace UN Peacekeepers in Lebanon

Germany has called on the European Union to prepare a mission that would replace United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon when the current force withdraws at the end of the year. Foreign officials said the goal is to avoid a security vacuum after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ends its 48-year deployment.

The United Nations Security Council agreed last year to conclude the mission following pressure from the United States. UNIFIL was first deployed in 1978 during the initial Israeli invasion of Lebanon. The force has drawn criticism from multiple sides for failing to prevent Israeli advances into Lebanese territory during recent hostilities with Hezbollah.

Israeli forces continue to occupy several areas in southern Lebanon and conduct operations against Hezbollah positions. Hezbollah has maintained attacks across the border into northern Israel. Lebanon has expressed support for an EU-led mission, though officials in Brussels have indicated any replacement would likely focus on training and support for Lebanese forces rather than traditional peacekeeping.

Discussions centered on establishing pilot zones in southern Lebanon for an initial Israeli withdrawal in exchange for Hezbollah disarmament. Debate within the EU over a possible mission has been underway for some time, with military sources suggesting the approach would differ from UNIFIL's ground presence.