European Union Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove visits Lebanon (16-17 January)
The European Union's Counter Terrorism Coordinator, Mr. Gilles de Kerchove, is visiting Lebanon on 16 and 17 January to take stock of the counter terrorism dialogue between the European Union (EU) and Lebanon.
The visit falls within the broader partnership between the EU and Lebanon on security and counter terrorism. 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 is also engaged in an active dialogue with the Lebanese authorities on the development of a national counter terrorism strategy, and welcomes the recent launch of the National Strategy to Prevent Violent Extremism. This extensive document defines violent extremism and prevention, and puts forth nine pillars or goals for the Lebanese ministries to achieve.
Following up on this progress, Mr. de Kerchove met with Minister of Interior Nohad Al Machnouq, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the heads of the security agencies. The discussions focused on countering violent extremism and the development of a national strategy to counter terrorism. They also addressed better ways to strengthen coordination between concerned stakeholders, in order to tackle the threat of radicalisation affecting peace and stability in Lebanon, the Middle East and Europe. Mr. de Kerchove will meet with Prime Minister Saad Hariri later today.
Following his meetings, Mr. de Kerchove expressed appreciation for the strong cooperation between Lebanon and the EU. "Security is an essential partnership priority for us in the coming months, which will see the Rome II conference, an important milestone for the future and security of Lebanon," he said. "I also want to applaud the new National Strategy to Prevent Violent Extremism. Lebanon is a beacon of diversity and this strategy is a shining example of the strength that diversity brings. I look forward to seeing the strategy put into action and to supporting implementation however I can", he added.
Mr. de Kerchove is chairing today the regional workshop on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PVE/CVE) that is taking place on 17 and 18 January. The workshop is jointly organised by the Lebanese National PVE Coordinator and the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) of the European Commission.