Macron, the President of France, hosted the leaders of Lebanon and Jordan in Paris on Thursday to garner international support for the Lebanese army, which is severely struggling with financial issues. He described the Lebanese army as "essential" for establishing stability in the country.
Strengthening Lebanon's Sovereignty
During this meeting, in addition to discussing the status of the Lebanese army, the establishment of a force to replace the United Nations peacekeepers in southern Lebanon was also on the agenda. This mission takes place amid ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah forces, which are backed by Iran.
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Macron stated, "The aim of these talks is to strengthen Lebanon's sovereignty and empower it to ensure its own complete security." He emphasized that for years, political groups like Hezbollah have held more power than the Lebanese government, and "an independent and stable Lebanon is a significant step towards peace and stability in the entire region."
Prerequisites for International Support
The French presidential palace announced that the goal of these talks is to examine a plan for deploying the Lebanese armed forces based on a framework that is "clear, credible, and realistic." Paris seeks to present this issue as a prerequisite for effective international support, whether in the form of financial aid, equipment, or training.
Lebanese forces face serious challenges in carrying out their mission to disarm Hezbollah in southern Lebanon due to a lack of equipment and resources. This issue is considered one of the key conditions for Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, has repeatedly emphasized his determination to disarm Hezbollah, but "without confrontation."
The discussions are also taking place as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission is set to end at the end of this year. This mission has been active for nearly half a century since Israel's invasion in 1978, and the UN Security Council decided last year, under pressure from the United States, to end the UNIFIL mission by December 31, 2026.
France and Italy have announced their intention to form a multinational coalition to replace UNIFIL. This force will include fewer than 7,500 peacekeepers from 46 countries.
Additionally, Aoun told AFP this week that Lebanon is seeking a new force, whether European or otherwise, to prevent a security vacuum after the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel and the United States attacked Iran in February, leading to a war that has spread throughout the Middle East. Hezbollah has drawn Lebanon into this broader conflict by firing rockets towards Israel in support of the Tehran government.
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