Lebanese president welcomes EU military presence to replace UNIFIL
Italy’s defense minister, who has been referred to the ICC for assisting the Israeli genocide in Gaza, visited Beirut for talks with top officials and informed them that Rome is seeking a continued presence in Lebanon
Rome has informed Beirut that it is seeking a continued military presence in south Lebanon even after UNIFIL’s mandate expires at the end of 2026, during meetings with Lebanon’s president in Beirut.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto visited the country on 22 December and met with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Menassa, as well as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun – who welcomed the call for a post-UNIFIL European force in the country.
“Even after (the peacekeeping force) UNIFIL, Italy will continue to do its part, supporting with conviction the international presence and supporting the capacity development of the Lebanese armed forces,” Crosetto said during the meetings. “No one has an interest in the continuation of tension in the south, and Israel must realize that.”
An Italian Defense Ministry source confirmed when asked by AFP that the statement reflected Rome’s intention to maintain a military presence in Lebanon.
In talks with Aoun, Crosetto said Italy’s stance is shared by other European states that are weighing similar arrangements after UNIFIL exits – in order to “support the Lebanese army,” Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported.
“We believe that multinational support remains the most effective solution in crisis areas,” the Italian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Lebanon’s president welcomed Crosetto’s comments.
“Lebanon welcomes the participation of Italy and other European countries in any force that may replace UNIFIL in southern Lebanon after its withdrawal in 2027,” Aoun said.
“We rely on friendly countries like Italy to push for the success of the negotiation process and to reach positive results,” he added. In February, France plans to host an international conference to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and Italy is likely to participate.
The Italian government has been among several European states that continued to support Israel militarily and politically throughout the genocide in Gaza.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Crosetto have been listed in a formal complaint submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC), accusing them of complicity in the genocide.
As the Global Sumud Flotilla was trying to break the siege of Gaza in September this year, Rome attempted to pressure the activists into handing over the humanitarian aid they were carrying over to Israeli authorities.
Crosetto’s visit to Beirut came as Israeli attacks killed three people in south Lebanon.
“The Israeli enemy's raid today on a car on the Quneitra road in the Sidon district resulted in the martyrdom of three citizens,” the Lebanese Health Ministry announced.
The Israeli army claimed in a statement that it “attacked Hezbollah terrorists.” A day earlier, several Israeli drone strikes hit south Lebanon.
In the past two months, Israel has significantly escalated deadly strikes and other violations of the Lebanon ceasefire, claiming that Hezbollah has rearmed itself.
Dozens of Lebanese have been killed since the start of last month alone. Since the ceasefire deal went into effect in November 2024, over 300 people have been killed – including scores of civilians and children.
The Lebanese army has been dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure south of the Litani River in line with the ceasefire deal reached last year, saying it has completed 90 percent of the disarmament process in the southern Litani area.
Under US pressure, the Lebanese government adopted a decision in August for the resistance movement's full disarmament by the end of this year. The Lebanese army was ordered to draft a disarmament plan, which has been kept confidential.
According to reports in recent months, Lebanon has backtracked on its commitment to full disarmament by year’s end – in favor of a phased approach that would continue into 2026.
But Israel has threatened to launch a new campaign against the country unless the resistance surrenders all its arms by the end of 2025.
Hezbollah has rejected disarmament, saying it will eventually respond if Israel continues to violate the truce.
Meanwhile, UNIFIL has begun a major reduction in its forces in south Lebanon.
In late August 2025, the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted a resolution extending UNIFIL's mandate in Lebanon until the end of 2026, for the last time.