Lebanon, France, Jordan Leaders Meet in Paris to Bolster Lebanese Military

Leaders from Lebanon, France, and Jordan are convening in Paris for discussions aimed at bolstering the Lebanese military, which is facing significant financial and operational challenges. The meeting is intended to lay the groundwork for a future donor conference aimed at providing much-needed support.

A donor conference for the Lebanese army, initially planned for February and led by France, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, was postponed due to the eruption of the Iran war and the escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The Lebanese army has found itself in a precarious position, caught between the Israeli military, which occupies parts of southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah, a powerful militant group that has refused to disarm.

Regional Tensions and Military Support

Recent diplomatic efforts, including a framework agreement announced in June between Lebanon and Israel, proposed a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Under this plan, the Lebanese army would assume control of the region, while Hezbollah would be disarmed. However, the implementation of this agreement has stalled.

The current discussions in Paris also focus on the situation in southern Lebanon and potential plans for an international presence following the expiration of the United Nations peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, mandate at the end of the year, according to a statement from the Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's office.

Hezbollah experienced significant weakening in the war that concluded in November 2024. Following this, Lebanon elected President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who committed to disarming Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups within the country.

Lebanon has faced criticism from Israel and the United States for not taking direct military action to compel Hezbollah's disarmament. Lebanese officials have expressed caution regarding a confrontation with Hezbollah, fearing it could lead to a civil war. The government has also emphasized the need for a larger and better-equipped military to effectively deploy across Lebanon and gain the support of Hezbollah's constituents, who question the army's capacity to protect them.

Economic Strain on the Military

The Lebanese military is severely underfunded and underequipped, having relied heavily on international donors for years, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Italy. In 2013, Saudi Arabia had pledged $3 billion to support the Lebanese army with French weaponry, but this aid was halted in 2016 as Hezbollah's political influence grew and ties between Lebanon and the kingdom deteriorated.

Since the country's fiscal crisis in late 2019, many soldiers have left the military or taken on second jobs. The crisis impacted state institutions that once offered respectable salaries and benefits, while also locking up the savings of millions of people in banks. The military has struggled to meet payroll demands amidst soaring inflation and shrinking state budgets.