18/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – In response to parliamentary questions from Kathleen Funchion (The Left, Irish) on 10 November, the EU High Representative stressed on 17 February that the planned withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from the end of 2026 made it “all the more urgent” to strengthen national institutions and deploy the Lebanese Armed Forces. She welcomed the Lebanese government’s decision to assert full State control over all weapons and to re-establish the presence of the Lebanese Armed Forces throughout the country. The EU is considering setting up a non-executive military mission to assist and train the Lebanese army (see EUROPE 13787/5). Asked about the Israeli strikes, the High Representative urged all parties to preserve the ceasefire and the progress made so far. See the answer: https://aeur.eu/f/ksh (CG)