EU plans new Lebanon mission as over 10 European countries consider sending troops

The EU announced on Tuesday that more than 10 European countries were willing to contribute troops to an EU mission to Lebanon.

The mission's goal is to replace the current UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, whose mandate is set to expire at the end of this year.

The EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas didn't mention any specific countries, but France has been attempting to organize an international response to support the Lebanese Army’s disarmament efforts.

Ireland, France, Spain, and Austria are said to be working behind the scenes to develop the force, according to an Irish general involved in the discussions, quoted by The Journal. However, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said that unless the country receives a UN mandate, Irish troops cannot legally be deployed.

Italy and the UK are also likely contenders, with both expressing interest in the idea in August.

Greece may also become an important part of the deal as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun was in Athens on Tuesday looking to convince Greece to take part in guaranteeing the implementation of the disarmament plan.

"We request Greece's assistance as much as possible to help Lebanon," Aoun said.

Aoun traveled to Greece only days after Israel and Greece singed the multibillion-dollar defense deal to provide Greece with air defenses comparable to Iron Dome, known as 'Achilles Shield.'#