BEIRUT — German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier committed to sustained support for Lebanon’s government during his Monday visit to Beirut, despite Germany’s planned withdrawal from the UN peacekeeping mission along the Lebanon-Israel border later this year.
Speaking at a presidential palace news conference, Steinmeier emphasized Germany’s ongoing commitment to Lebanese stability even after the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) concludes its nearly five-decade mission in southern Lebanon at the end of 2026. The German navy is already engaged in training Lebanese troops as they enhance their presence in the country’s volatile southern regions.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the security vacuum that will follow UNIFIL’s departure. The peacekeeping force, currently numbering approximately 7,500 personnel including 179 Germans, has played a critical role in monitoring regional security throughout various conflicts, including the recent 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.
While Steinmeier stated that “Germany will stay by the side of your country to boost state authority” post-UNIFIL, he did not specify the nature of this continued support. German troops currently focused on preventing arms smuggling and assisting with maritime border monitoring are unlikely to remain after the mission concludes.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun highlighted the devastating impact of the recent conflict, which killed over 4,000 people in Lebanon and caused an estimated $11 billion in damage according to World Bank figures. Aoun emphasized that Lebanon “bore burdens” of a violent conflict it “did not choose” and can no longer sustain such costs.
The German president also addressed the delicate peace process, urging progress on disarming Hezbollah—a key component of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted fighting in November 2024—and calling for Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory. Aoun separately requested that Germany assume a “main role” in the post-UNIFIL era and pressure Israel to adhere to ceasefire terms, though he notably omitted any mention of Hezbollah’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.