Germany is committed to maintaining a presence in Lebanon after the United Nations peacekeeping mission Unifil ends its operations, as European countries discuss establishing a possible successor force, Deputy Defense Minister Nils Schmid has told The National.

The UN Security Council voted unanimously in August 2025 to extend Unifil's mandate for a final time until December 2026, after which the mission will begin an orderly withdrawal of its personnel.

Beirut has called for the mission's mandate to be extended, while discussions with international partners continue over possible arrangements to preserve security and monitoring functions after its departure.

Germany has contributed to Unifil for years, particularly through its naval component, providing training and assistance to the Lebanese navy. A German frigate currently serves as part of the mission's maritime force, which is commanded by a German officer.

"We will continue after the end of Unifil to train and assist," Schmid said in an interview on the sidelines of the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, referring to Germany's longstanding support for the Lebanese military.

He said the structure of any future international presence had yet to be determined, with European countries discussing whether it should operate under a new UN mandate or within an EU framework.

Italy, France and Spain are leading the discussions, Schmid said, adding that other European countries were also expected to take part.

"Germany will also be a full part of this," he said. "There's a strong commitment not only by Germany but by major European nations to continue a presence in Lebanon."

Schmid said Germany would not deploy ground troops to Lebanon, with its contribution remaining focused on the maritime domain. Other European countries are prepared to provide soldiers for a future mission, although its composition and mandate have yet to be worked out.

Last month, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told The National in an interview in Rome that Italy was planning a new international mission to replace Unifil, but that the initiative would require U.S. approval.

Separately, EU foreign ministers agreed in October to establish a three-year civilian-military mission to strengthen Lebanon's security institutions through advisory and training support for the armed forces and internal security services.

The initiative is separate from Unifil and is not intended to take over its peacekeeping and monitoring responsibilities in southern Lebanon.

State Authority

Schmid said Germany had assured the Lebanese government of its continued support for the army, emphasizing the need for the state to remain the sole authority responsible for security.

"We strongly encourage the Lebanese government to continue this plan of disarming militias and non-state actors inside Lebanon," he said. "We know from European history how important it is to have a sole provider of security in states."

Lebanon has pledged to disarm non-state groups, particularly the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah. But efforts to implement that commitment have repeatedly stalled, hindered by Hezbollah's military strength, its support from Iran and the Lebanese army's limited capabilities.

Lebanese officials have also said Israel's continued military presence in southern Lebanon is preventing the army from completing its deployment there.

Schmid said Germany fully supported Lebanon's territorial sovereignty and integrity.

"It is an independent state and its borders need to be respected," he said.

"At the same time, Israel has legitimate security interests in protecting itself against attacks from neighbouring states."