European Union defense ministers agreed Tuesday to send a team to Lebanon to evaluate a request from the government in Beirut for help in reforming its security sector, EU officials said.

The team is due to leave shortly for Beirut, said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.

The EU is considering a program that would assist Lebanon's armed forces, police, prison staff, border guards and judiciary.

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The program would be similar to the EU program currently in place to modernize Congo's security services.

The EU has already organized such assistance for nations in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.

Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora requested assistance in recent contacts with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, one official said.

Last month Solana said he was also looking into the possibility of EU aid to help with "upgrading" the Lebanese armed forces, which have been patrolling the country's south since the month-long battle there between Israel and Hezbollah.