Germany to keep training Lebanese navy after UNIFIL ends
Deputy Defence Minister Nils Schmid says Germany will continue maritime training for Lebanon as European countries discuss a successor mission to the UN peacekeeping force.
Illustration: AI-generated image
Germany will maintain its maritime training and support for Lebanon after the UN peacekeeping mission UNIFIL concludes at the end of this year, Deputy Defence Minister Nils Schmid said on Tuesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, Mr Schmid told The National that his country would continue to "train and assist" the Lebanese military, particularly its navy.
UNIFIL, established in 1978, has monitored the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel and supported the Lebanese army. The UN Security Council voted in August 2025 to extend its mandate for a final time until December 2026, after which the force will begin an orderly withdrawal. Germany has contributed to UNIFIL for years, including a frigate serving in the mission's maritime force, which is headed by a German commander.
Mr Schmid said discussions are under way among European countries about a possible successor force, with Italy, France and Spain leading the talks. Germany would be a "full part" of any future mission, he added, but would not deploy ground troops, focusing instead on the maritime domain. Other European nations are prepared to contribute soldiers, though details remain undecided.
Separately, EU foreign ministers agreed in October to establish a three-year civilian-military mission to bolster Lebanon's security institutions through advisory and training support. Mr Schmid said Germany has assured Lebanon of its continued backing for the army and stressed the importance of the state remaining the sole provider of security. He encouraged Beirut to continue its plan to disarm militias, while acknowledging that Israel has legitimate security interests.
On the Red Sea, Mr Schmid said Germany is not planning to increase its participation in the EU's Operation Aspides naval mission for now, but will maintain current support. Discussions are ongoing in Brussels about closer coordination with the Saudi-led Multinational Maritime Defensive Coalition, possibly through a liaison office.
