Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1218 of 4 June 2026 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Lebanese Armed Forces

Official Journal EN of the European Union L series 2026/1218 5.6.2026 COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2026/1218 of 4 June 2026 on an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility to support the Lebanese Armed Forces THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 28(1) and Article 41(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Whereas: (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509(1) establishes the European Peace Facility (EPF) for the financing by Member States of Union actions under the common foreign and security policy to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security pursuant to Article 21(2), point (c), of the Treaty. In particular, pursuant to Article 1(2) of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, the EPF is to be used for the financing of assistance measures such as actions to strengthen the capacities of third States and regional and international organisations relating to military and defence matters. (2) The 2016 Global Strategy for the Union’s Foreign and Security Policy sets the objectives of strengthening security and defence, investing in the resilience of states and societies to the south of the Union, developing an integrated approach to conflict and crises, including compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. (3) On 21 March 2022, the Council approved the Strategic Compass, with the objective for the Union of becoming a stronger and more capable security provider, including through the increased use of the EPF in support of partners’ defence capabilities. (4) In its conclusions of 18 April 2024, the European Council reaffirmed the Union’s objective to work with all partners in the Middle East to avoid further escalation of tensions, notably in Lebanon. It underlined the Union’s commitment to support the stability of Lebanon. (5) In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council welcomed the ceasefire agreement of 27 November 2024 between Israel and Lebanon, following the mediation efforts undertaken in particular by France and the United States. It urged the parties to implement the ceasefire as agreed, and called for the full and symmetrical implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). The European Council recalled in that context the fundamental stabilisation role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon. The Union will continue to support the Lebanese State’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and state-building efforts, including by contributing to the strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The European Council called on Lebanese political leaders to take the necessary action to overcome the political and economic impasse, including the swift election of a president. (6) In its conclusions of 20 March 2025, the European Council welcomed the end of the political impasse in Lebanon and expressed the Union’s readiness to work with the new authorities to stabilise the economic and security situation in the country. The European Council reiterated its call on the parties to implement the terms of the 27 November 2024 ceasefire agreement and for the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). (1) Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 of 22 March 2021 establishing a European Peace Facility, and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2015/528 (OJ L 102, 24.3.2021, p. 14, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2021/509/oj). ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1218/oj 1/5EN OJ L, 5.6.2026 (7) On 15 December 2025, the Union and Lebanon held the ninth EU–Lebanon Association Council and expressed their willingness to further support the Lebanese security sector through the full use of Union tools, including the EPF. (8) Following the escalation of violence in the Middle-East, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) alerted against the risk of Lebanon being drawn into a war that is not theirs, with severe humanitarian consequences, and called for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected, while reaffirming the Union’s commitment to stand by Lebanon and its people. (9) In April 2026, the High Representative received a request from Lebanon for the Union to assist the LAF with the procurement of key equipment to increase their capacities to monitor, control and secure Lebanon’s territory as well as ensure that State’s monopoly on arms, while improving the LAF’s wellbeing, ecosystem and professionalisation. (10) Assistance measures are to be implemented taking into account the principles and requirements set out in Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, in particular compliance with Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP(2), and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF. (11) The Council reaffirms its determination to protect, promote and fulfil human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic principles and to strengthen the rule of law and good governance, in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations, with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and with international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 Establishment, objectives, scope and duration 1. An assistance measure benefiting Lebanon (the ‘beneficiary’) to be financed under the European Peace Facility (EPF) (the ‘assistance measure’) is hereby established. 2. The objectives of the assistance measure are the following: (a) to strengthen the cooperation between the Union and Lebanon in the area of security and defence; (b) to contribute to strengthening the overall military and defence capacities of the Lebanese Armed Forces; (c) to enhance the national security and stability of Lebanon as well as the protection of civilians. 3. To achieve the objectives set out in paragraph 2, the assistance measure shall finance equipment not designed to deliver lethal force in respect of the following: (a) territorial control, through support to the creation of the 5th Land Border Regiment to be deployed along the north-eastern border with Syria; (b) multi-domain awareness, through the creation of a joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capacity with an operational drone system and a comprehensive training programme; (2) Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (OJ L 335, 13.12.2008, p. 99, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/compos/2008/944/oj). 2/5 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1218/ojEN OJ L, 5.6.2026 (c) maritime security, by enhancing surveillance capacities and integrating assets into a maritime Command & Control system; (d) protection of critical military sites, through the delivery of C-UAS to ensure the protection of the HQ and part of the main Air Force bases of the Lebanese Armed Forces; (e) healthcare, through the continuation of the provision of medical equipment to the Central Medical Healthcare. The assistance measure shall also finance related supplies and services, including technical training, where needed. 4. The duration of the assistance measure shall be 48 months from the date of adoption of this Decision. Article 2 Financial arrangements 1. The financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to the assistance measure shall be EUR 100 000 000. 2. All expenditure shall be managed in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF. Article 3 Arrangements with the beneficiary 1. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) shall make the necessary arrangements with the beneficiary to ensure its compliance with the requirements and conditions established by this Decision as a condition for the provision of support under the assistance measure. 2. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions obliging the beneficiary to ensure: (a) compliance of the units of the Lebanese Armed Forces supported under the assistance measure with relevant international law, in particular international human rights law and international humanitarian law; (b) proper and efficient use of any assets provided under the assistance measure for the purposes for which they were provided; (c) sufficient maintenance of any assets provided under the assistance measure to ensure their usability and operational availability over their life cycle; (d) that any assets provided under the assistance measure are not lost or transferred to persons or entities other than those identified in those arrangements. 3. The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall include provisions on the suspension and termination of support under the assistance measure in the event of the beneficiary being found in breach of the obligations set out in paragraph 2. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1218/oj 3/5EN OJ L, 5.6.2026 Article 4 Implementation 1. The High Representative shall be responsible for ensuring the implementation of this Decision in accordance with Decision (CFSP) 2021/509, and in line with the rules for the implementation of revenue and expenditure financed under the EPF and with the Integrated Methodological Framework for assessing and identifying the required measures and controls for assistance measures under the EPF. 2. The implementation of the activities referred to in Article 1(3) of this Decision shall be carried out by: (a) for point (a) of that paragraph, the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA) and the administrator for assistance measures; (b) for points (b) and (d) of that paragraph, Défense Conseil International (DCI Group); (c) for point (c) of that paragraph, Économat des Armées (EdA); (d) for point (e) of that paragraph, the CPMA. Article 5 Monitoring, control and evaluation 1. The High Representative shall monitor the compliance by the beneficiary with the obligations set out in Article 3. That monitoring shall be used to provide awareness of the context and the risks of breaches of the obligations set out in Article 3, and to contribute to the prevention of such breaches, including violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by the units of the Lebanese Armed Forces supported under the assistance measure. 2. The post-shipment control of equipment and supplies shall be organised as follows: (a) delivery verification, whereby EPF delivery certificates are to be signed by the end-user forces upon transfer of ownership; (b) reporting, whereby the beneficiary is to report annually on the activities conducted with the equipment, supplies and services provided under the assistance measure, and on the inventory of designated items until such reporting is no longer deemed necessary by the Political and Security Committee (PSC); (c) on-site visits, whereby the beneficiary is to grant the High Representative and the EPF auditors access to conduct on-site checks and EPF audits, upon request. 3. The High Representative shall conduct a final evaluation upon completion of the assistance measure to assess whether the assistance measure has contributed to reaching the objectives set out in Article 1(2). Article 6 Reporting During the period of implementation, the High Representative shall provide the PSC with six-monthly reports on the implementation of the assistance measure, in accordance with Article 63 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. The administrator for assistance measures shall regularly inform the Facility Committee established by Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 on the implementation of revenue and expenditure in accordance with Article 38 of that Decision, including by providing information on the suppliers and subcontractors involved. 4/5 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1218/ojEN OJ L, 5.6.2026 Article 7 Suspension and termination 1. The PSC may decide to suspend wholly or partially the implementation of the assistance measure in accordance with Article 64 of Decision (CFSP) 2021/509. 2. The PSC may recommend that the Council terminate the assistance measure. Article 8 Entry into force This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. Done at Luxembourg, 4 June 2026. For the Council The President C. FITIRIS ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/1218/oj 5/5