NNA - The Council of the European Union adopted the fourth bilateral assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to strengthen the defence capacities and capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). This brings the total EPF support to Lebanon to EUR 182 million to date.
"The renewal of the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon offers a tenuous chance to pull the country back from the brink. This new €100 million support package will significantly sharpen EU support for the Lebanese Armed Forces. It will help the Lebanese state assert its monopoly over arms and disarm non-state actors such as Hezbollah. The best way to remove Hezbollah's threat is to strengthen Lebanon's state, institutions, and sovereignty. Today's funding helps to do that." - Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Today's decision underscores the EU's continued engagement with Lebanon in promoting peace, stability and supporting its sovereignty, territorial integrity and State-building efforts. The European Union also supports the Lebanese authorities' efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces in view of gaining control of the whole Lebanese territory.
In the current dramatic context of hostilities and their severe impact on civilians, including large-scale displacement, suffering and loss of life, the new assistance measure aims at strengthening the LAF's overall capacity to monitor, control and secure Lebanon's territory, as well as to uphold the state's monopoly on arms and ensure protection of civilians.
This comprehensive EPF (non-lethal) support package is designed to enhance the LAF's capabilities across five key domains through the provision of military equipment and training: territorial control, multi-domain awareness, maritime security, protection of critical military sites.
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 for the financing of actions under the common foreign and security policy to prevent conflicts, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters.
The first three bilateral assistance measures under the European Peace Facility in support of Lebanese Armed Forces, respectively worth EUR 6 million, 16 million and 60 million, were adopted in December 2022, September 2024 and January 2025.
