European and Arab military commanders will gather in Paris on September 17 to assess the needs of the Lebanese Army and discuss the imminent end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission. This meeting is being held amid concerns about the potential resumption of Israeli military attacks in southern Lebanon.
Diplomatic Efforts and Challenges
Israel and Lebanon have been seeking to reduce tensions along their borders through several rounds of U.S.-mediated negotiations. However, due to the proximity of elections in Israel and the United States, diplomats believe that achieving a meaningful agreement during this period is unlikely.
The discussions on Thursday will be chaired by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, and will include Joseph Aoun, the President of Lebanon, and Abdullah II, the King of Jordan. This meeting is not officially part of U.S. efforts, but a senior U.S. military official in the Middle East security domain will be present at the session.
Upcoming Security Challenges
As part of U.S.-mediated negotiations, Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement whereby Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from southern Lebanon, and Lebanese officials must disarm Hezbollah and deploy their forces in the region.
Paris officials are looking to accurately assess Lebanon's military and financial needs ahead of a donor conference scheduled for late 2026 or early 2027. The main concern is how to fill the security vacuum created by the reduction of United Nations peacekeeping forces.
Despite Lebanon and France's support for the extension of the UN mission, the United States and Israel have shown no signs of support for prolonging this mission. Officials in Paris will explore options for creating a new international mission, supported by France and Italy.
This mission could also focus on training, providing equipment, sharing intelligence, and supporting the Lebanese Army. A French presidential official stated to reporters before the meeting, "The details of this international or multinational initiative still need to be clarified, as Lebanon has yet to present requests that align with U.S. demands in the Security Council."
Given the unstable situation, recent Israeli attacks on a city in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, including six children. This situation has heightened concerns about the potential resumption of war in Lebanon following several days of increased attacks.
