CBRN field exercises reproduce potential real-life emergencies under controlled conditions, enabling law enforcement officers, emergency services, and specialised response units to train for complex incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials. By bringing together multiple agencies and stakeholders, these exercises serve as an essential tool to assess and strengthen national and regional preparedness, coordination, and response capacity in the event of a real CBRN emergency.
It is within this framework that ARZ 2025 was conducted in Beirut, representing one of the most ambitious and comprehensive field exercises conducted in the country to date. Participants worked side by side through a complex, multi-day scenario combining a chemical mass-casualty event and a radiological security incident.
The exercise tested inter-agency coordination at operational and tactical levels, with the Lebanese Armed Forces assuming a central command role and civilian authorities playing a critical role throughout the response.
Key highlights of ARZ 2025 included:
- Over 400 participants from 10 national institutions.
- Essential contributions from civilian authorities.
- Integration of private hospitals for the first time.
- Expanded forensic crime-scene component.
- Extensive use of drones for reconnaissance and monitoring.
The evaluation team, representing organisations such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), INTERPOL, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, together with experts from Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanese institutions, provided valuable technical feedback.
A high-level visibility event at the Grand Serail brought together Lebanese officials, the EU, and international partners. On this occasion, Lebanon announced the endorsement of its second CBRN National Action Plan, by decision of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers - an important political milestone in strengthening national resilience.
ARZ 2025 builds on broader EU-sponsored efforts in the Middle East
ARZ 2025 forms part of a comprehensive series of CBRN field exercises implemented in the Middle East under the framework of the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence initiative. This series reflects a shared commitment to strengthening regional resilience against CBRN risks through capacity-building, interoperability, and sustained cooperation.
The successful implementation of ARZ 2025 demonstrates the value of international collaboration and represents a collective step forward in enhancing safety and security in Lebanon, the wider Middle East region, and beyond.
Details
- Publication date
- 25 November 2025
- Threat area
- CBRN Risk Mitigation