Lebanon Mine Action Center Receives EU-Funded Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment within the Framework of Cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces

Lebanon Mine Action Center Receives EU-Funded Explosive Ordnance Disposal Equipment within the Framework of Cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces

A ceremony was held at the Logistic Brigade in Kfarchima for the handover of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment to the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The equipment includes vehicles equipped with mounted cranes, advanced care ambulances, and intrinsically safe field communication devices, aimed at strengthening LMAC's capacity to support safe and efficient EOD operations and respond to evolving contamination risks.

The mounted cranes and mobile platforms are specifically designed for operations in rubble and debris environments, where conflict-related destruction and debris have concealed explosive ordnance across residential areas, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure. This support contributes to civilian protection, safe access to affected areas, and ongoing recovery efforts, including enabling displaced communities to safely return to their homes.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Sandra De Waele, Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon; Brigadier General Haydar Skayneh, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Representative of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal; Ms. Blerta Aliko, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon; Brigadier General Roger Khoury, Head of LMAC; as well as officers from the Lebanese Armed Forces, and representatives from the European Union, UNDP, and relevant partners.

At the end of the ceremony, Brigadier General Haydar Skayneh, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Representative of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal, presented a letter of appreciation on behalf of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief to Ambassador De Waele, commending the role of the United Nations and the European Union in supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces during the current phase.

The Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, H.E. Sandra De Waele, said: "The European Union has been a long-standing partner of Lebanon on mine action - including through our support in establishing the Regional School of Humanitarian Demining - and we are proud to deepen that partnership with both LMAC and the LAF Engineering Regiment. Our programmes cover training, equipment for disposal and large-scale clearance operations, awareness and risk education, and assistance to victims. In today's context, the needs are great, and more support will come."

The UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Blerta Aliko, said: "Explosive ordnance contamination today is not only a humanitarian threat - it is a critical barrier to recovery, safe return, and restoring access to homes, land, and infrastructure. Through this support, UNDP is helping strengthen Lebanon's national capacity to respond to these risks safely and efficiently, protect civilians, and support stabilization efforts across affected communities."

This support reflects continued cooperation between national institutions and international partners to address contamination risks, enhance civilian safety, and contribute to Lebanon's recovery and stability.

Lebanon operates under binding obligations as a State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), with its clearance deadline extended until May 2030. In parallel, Lebanon will become the 162nd State Party to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), reinforcing its commitment to humanitarian disarmament norms. Lebanon demonstrates substantial progress toward treaty compliance. Sustained international support is therefore critical to enable Lebanon to meet its treaty obligations.