Berlin says it will continue to participate in UN's Lebanon mission UNIFIL, and EU-led multinational force in Bosnia
Germany has agreed to extend deployment of troops for international missions in Lebanon and Bosnia, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said German troops will continue to participate in UN's Lebanon mission UNIFIL, and the EU-led multinational force EUFOR-ALTHEA in Bosnia.
“Germany supports efforts for promoting lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. The security situation in the region is currently very fragile, and there is also a worsening political and economic crisis in Lebanon,” he told reporters.
“Germany's military contribution to UNIFIL mission will include participation with ships in the UNIFIL Maritime Task Force, providing personnel to UNIFIL headquarters, and training the Lebanese navy,” Buchner said, adding that up to 300 German soldiers will be deployed for this mission.
During Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and ministers also agreed to extend deployment of German troops for the EU-led multinational stabilization force in Bosnia, the deputy spokesman said.
“By continuing its participation in EUFOR-ALTHEA, the German government is underlining its ongoing commitment to security and stability in the Western Balkans,” Buchner stressed.
“The central task of the mission is to support the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the Bosnian war in 1995, and remains in force. The German Armed Forces' mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains to create and maintain a secure environment and to support the training of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” he added.
Germany will deploy up to 50 soldiers for the EUFOR-ALTHEA mission.
Following the Cabinet's decision, the planned deployments now require the approval of the German parliament. They are almost certain to be passed, as Scholz's ruling coalition has majority in the Bundestag.
For both military missions, the mandates will end on June 30, 2025, with the possibility of further extension.
