On Thursday 15 March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini announced extra aid of €50 million for the Lebanese security forces.
"Today we commit an additional €50 million to support Lebanon's security until 2020. Most of this investment will finance actions to promote the rule of law, enhance security and counter terrorism. In 2018, there should be a specific focus on Integrated Border Management and countering terrorism", Mogherini announced at a ministerial conference in Rome to support the Lebanese armed forces and security forces.
Of this €50 million, €46.6 million, from the European Neighbourhood Instrument, will be used to finance action promoting the rule of law, enhancing security and countering terrorism until 2020, and the remaining €3.5 million, adopted under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), is for securing Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport against illicit trafficking and the threat of terrorism. "We will finance both the training of civilian security guards at the airport, and an upgrade of security equipment and infrastructure", Mogherini stated. The EU has invested more than €85 million across the security sector since 2006.
In her address, Mogherini said the EU wanted to support the deployment of Lebanese armed forces in the south of Lebanon, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 of 2006, which aimed to stop armed conflict with Israel. "The European Union is ready to work with the rest of the international community, and with the Lebanese institutions, towards the full implementation of the Resolution. In particular, we very much support the deployment of a Lebanese 'model regiment' in the area, as a step towards a stronger and more stable Lebanon’’, she said.
The high representative highlighted the work of the Lebanese armed forces and security forces in consolidating their presence at the border with Syria, saying that "this is important work to further extend the authority of the Lebanese State and ensure tight control over the border". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)