The heads of state of Lebanon, France and Jordan will meet Thursday in Paris as part of an effort to drum up support for the struggling Lebanese military.
A donor conference for Lebanon’s cash-strapped army was initially set to take place in February, led by France, Saudi Arabia and the United States. However, it was postponed following the eruption of the Iran war and the latest round of the Israel-Hezbollah war.
The Lebanese army has now found itself caught between the Israeli military – now occupying much of southern Lebanon – and Hezbollah. The militant group has refused calls to give up its weapons.
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Jordan’s King Abdullah II meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in Paris on Wednesday. Credit: AFP/Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court
Jordan’s King Abdullah II meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun in Paris on Wednesday. Credit: AFP/Jordanian Royal Hashemite Court
In June, Lebanon and Israel agreed to a framework for Israel’s gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the Lebanese army’s takeover, alongside Hezbollah’s disarmament. Implementation has since stalled.
Thursday’s Paris meeting will focus on preparations for a donor conference, the situation in southern Lebanon and plans for an international presence after the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL expires at the end of the year, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s office said.
Hezbollah was severely weakened in the war that ended in November 2024. Lebanon subsequently elected Aoun as president and Nawaf Salam as prime minister, with both pledging to disarm Hezbollah and other non-state armed groups.