Spain to propose a “strong and robust” EU mission in Lebanon

Eduardo González Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced on Monday his intention to propose to his European counterparts the establishment of a “strong and robust” European Union mission to take over from the United Nations Interim Peacekeeping Force (UNIFIL) when its mandate ends in late 2026. “One of the things I will raise today at the meeting is the need for a strong, robust European Union mission to take over from UNIFIL,” Albares declared in Luxembourg upon his arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting. The European Union “not only can, but must be present” throughout the Middle East and, more specifically, in Lebanon, with a mission that guarantees “the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the country, he insisted. UNIFIL's mandate will conclude at the end of 2026 after twenty years on the ground. Last February, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez assured Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Madrid that Spain would continue to support the stability of his country beyond the end of the mission. He specified that the continuation of Spanish contingents in southern Lebanon after UNIFIL's mandate ends would be discussed with the other European Union countries. France, Italy, and Austria have also considered the possibility of remaining as an international force in southern Lebanon, which, according to Lebanese media, reflects Europe's interest in "avoiding a security vacuum that could result from the end of UNIFIL's mission." One of the proposed options is the creation of a European multinational force, with French forces at its core and the support of Spain and Italy. However, the United States' interest in reducing France's role in southern Lebanon and Spain's critical stance regarding Israeli policies and the Gaza war raise serious doubts about the European proposal's chances of success. Spain has one of the largest contingents in UNIFIL, with 700 military personnel assigned to patrol and monitor the line of separation between Israel and Lebanon, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Spain's participation in UNIFIL began in September 2006, as part of Operation Libre Hidalgo in southern Lebanon to contribute to the implementation of UN Resolution 1701. Sanctions against Israel Furthermore, Albares announced his intention to address in Luxembourg "possible sanctions against Israel, specifically a ban on products from illegal settlements." “I believe it is time to move to a vote and verify whether or not there is a qualified majority,” he declared, regarding the Spanish proposal to suspend the Association Agreement between the EU and Israel due to human rights violations in the Palestinian territories. “In the case of products originating from illegal settlements, that wouldn't even be necessary,” he clarified. “It is simply the European Union's compliance with international law and the opinions of the International Court of Justice,” he reminded. “In fact, Spain has not waited for any European Union decision to implement it; we have been applying it for many months now through that royal decree on the embargo,” he specified. It is up to “the other states to decide whether they want to follow Spain's example, whether they want to have a coherent foreign policy that respects international law,” he insisted. “For the European Union, this question shouldn't even be a consideration: the European Union must respect international law and, therefore, should take this measure,” he warned. “In any case, let’s go to a vote. Let’s see who is in favor of international law and who isn’t. Who truly believes in, like Spain and backs it up with actions, the two-state solution, and who merely mentions it in passing, occasionally, and increasingly not at all,” he declared. “Let’s see if there is a qualified majority or not. I believe there is, but let’s confirm it. There will be time to analyze everything else later,” he concluded.

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