Rajji urges EU to include Iranian 'proxies' issue in negotiations with Tehran

While in Brussels, Foreign Minister Joe Rajji on Tuesday called on the European Union to extend the scope of its negotiations with Iran beyond the nuclear issue, to include the matter of Iranian "proxies" in the region, during an expanded meeting with ambassadors from the Political and Security Committee of the EU Council.

While the Lebanese minister insisted on "the need to put pressure on Israel to withdraw from the five points it occupies in southern Lebanon, to release Lebanese detainees, and to put an end to daily military aggressions," he also wished that "the negotiations conducted by Brussels with Tehran not be limited to the nuclear dossier, but also encompass the matter of Iranian proxies in the region."

Among these proxies is Hezbollah, which the Lebanese state has committed to disarm following a decision ratified in early August, which Rajji described as "historic," aiming to reserve the monopoly on weapons to the state and to "affirm its authority and sovereignty, by its own forces, over the entire Lebanese territory."

As the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed in southern Lebanon since 1978, is set to begin its withdrawal on Dec. 31, 2026, with a complete departure by the end of 2027, Rajji addressed the "post-UNIFIL" situation. In this context, he emphasized the importance of "strengthening European and international support for the Lebanese Army so that it can fully perform its missions."

The European Union granted on Dec. 10 a package of 132 million euros to the Lebanese government to boost "security and stability," while, according to information from a document produced by the EU diplomatic service, the EU is considering options to strengthen the Internal Security Forces (ISF) of Lebanon in order to allow the Lebanese Army to focus on disarmament.

The Lebanese minister also invited the ambassadors from the Political and Security Committee of the EU Council to come to Lebanon to witness the situation on the ground.

The European ambassadors, for their part, expressed their countries' support for the decisions taken by the Lebanese government and Brussels' interest in upgrading its relationship with Beirut to the level of a strategic partnership, as well as significantly increasing its aid following the government's signing of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund. They also affirmed their support for the Lebanese Army and the reform process.

EU 'welcomes' progress made in regaining the monopoly on arms

Earlier in the day, the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, "welcomed" the progress made so far in the process of regaining the monopoly on arms in Lebanon and in implementing reforms during a meeting with her Lebanese counterpart.

She also expressed "the EU's interest in supporting Lebanon in various areas and in elevating the partnership between Lebanon and the EU to a strategic and comprehensive relationship once the necessary reforms are implemented."

In another meeting between the Lebanese minister and European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, discussions focused on reforms, the situation in southern Lebanon, and support for the Lebanese Army to strengthen stability in the country.

Irish Foreign and Defense Minister Helen McEntee, for her part, stated that "stability in Lebanon is first and foremost a European matter, given its direct repercussions on the region." She also reiterated her country's commitment alongside the UNIFIL forces.

The process of disarming Hezbollah led by the Lebanese Army south of the Litani is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, while the next monthly report from the army's commander-in-chief, General Rodolph Haykal, to the Cabinet is scheduled for Jan. 5. On Monday, the Lebanese Army organized a tour in the South with ambassadors and diplomats based in Lebanon, to show them the scope of their operations.