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Defence Minister Boris Pistorius believes that, following the end of the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Germany must continue its commitment to strengthening the Lebanese armed forces.<\/p>\n
The stabilization of Lebanon remains \u201cin all our interests,\u201d Pistorius said Thursday during a Bundestag debate on the planned final extension of the mandate for the deployment of German UNIFIL soldiers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe development of capable Lebanese armed forces remains crucial to this.,” he said, adding German involvement would need to be discussed in the parliament or Bundestag.<\/p>\n
In August 2025, the UN Security Council decided to end the entire UNIFIL mission. It was launched in 1978 to monitor the border area between Israel and Lebanon.<\/p>\n
Currently, 10,000 soldiers are still involved. Following their withdrawal, the Lebanese army is to take control.<\/p>\n
The German government intends to extend the German Navy\u2019s deployment off the coast of Lebanon one last time until June 30, 2027 and is asking the Bundestag for its approval.<\/p>\n
Pistorius emphasized that, beyond UNIFIL, Germany\u2019s engagement in the region would be crucial, particularly in Strait of Hormuz. Mutual Iranian and US blockades have brought maritime traffic there to a virtual standstill. The strait is key for global energy and trade. “That is why a multinational mission to secure the sea lanes is fundamentally in our strategic interest,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But the German Armed Forces can only participate when the war is permanently over, with US involvement and Bundestag approval, he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n