Key facts
- Spain will continue to support Lebanon and work with European partners to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces after the UNIFIL mission ends.
- Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in New York on September 22, 2026.
- Spain reaffirmed its commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
- Spain will participate at the ministerial level in a conference in Paris on March 5 to support the training of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces.
- Spain has participated in UNIFIL since 2006 and will consider maintaining some military units in southern Lebanon after the mission ends.
- Spain provided €1.4 million in humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon in 2024.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in New York on September 22, 2026, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Sanchez reaffirmed Spain's commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, pledging continued support for the country and its armed forces.
Spain will work with European partners to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces following the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, which is set to expire at the end of the year. Spain has participated in UNIFIL since 2006 and is considering maintaining some military units in southern Lebanon after the mission concludes, in discussions with Italy and Austria.
Sanchez also announced that Spain would be represented at the ministerial level at a conference in Paris on March 5, focused on supporting the training of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun had previously expressed appreciation for Spain's support, including its condemnation of Israeli attacks and its contribution to UNIFIL.
Discussions also covered bilateral relations, regional stability, and cooperation agreements. Spain has declared Lebanon a priority for its development cooperation, quadrupling aid to €30 million over the next three years. Agreements were signed concerning diplomatic schools and agricultural cooperation, including digital transformation and food safety. Cooperation in library matters was also agreed upon.
President Aoun urged Spain, in coordination with the European Union, to pressure Israel to halt its attacks on Lebanon and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The situation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon was also discussed, with Spain providing humanitarian aid and hosting refugees.