@not_a_charm🇱🇧🇪🇺 Lebanon’s president welcomed a new EU mission to TRAIN THE ARMY FOR 3 YEARS, as UN peacekeepers’ time runs out. EU FM approved the mission today to strengthen the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces in border control, territorial reach, and internal security. President Aoun called it a sign of European confidence in Lebanon’s legitimate forces and state control of arms. UNIFIL’s mandate ends this year, and Beirut is seeking to strengthen its own institutions rather than rely on peacekeepers indefinitely. Whether the training makes a real difference on the ground remains to be seen. Writer: Lucas

@not_a_charm🇱🇧🇪🇺 Lebanon’s president welcomed a new EU mission to TRAIN THE ARMY FOR 3 YEARS, as UN peacekeepers’ time runs out. EU FM approved the mission today to strengthen the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces in border control, territorial reach, and internal security. President Aoun called it a sign of European confidence in Lebanon’s legitimate forces and state control of arms. UNIFIL’s mandate ends this year, and Beirut is seeking to strengthen its own institutions rather than rely on peacekeepers indefinitely. Whether the training makes a real difference on the ground remains to be seen. Writer: Lucas