EU counter-terrorism co-ordinator Gilles de Kerchove is on a visit to Lebanon to take stock of the counter-terrorism dialogue between the EU and Lebanon, Lebanon’s Naharnet reported Wednesday (January 17th).
The visit falls within the broader partnership between the EU and Lebanon on security and counter-terrorism, according to an EU press release.
Following the terrorist attacks perpetrated worldwide, the EU was quick to adopt a counter-terrorism approach in the Middle East and North Africa that goes beyond strict military and security assistance.
In 2016, a roadmap on countering terrorism was agreed upon with the Lebanese government, in which the EU voiced its commitment to support Lebanon in the areas of justice and law enforcement, countering terrorism financing, border management, airport security and civil aviation security and countering violent extremism.
The EU also is engaged in an active dialogue with the Lebanese authorities on the development of a national counter-terrorism strategy.
De Kerchove met with Minister of Interior Nohad al-Mashnouq, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the heads of the security agencies to discuss progress, and was set to meet with Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri on Wednesday.
