Lebanon says France to host conference to support army

AFP , Wednesday 14 Jan 2026

Lebanon said Wednesday that a conference in support of the country's army would take place in Paris on March 5. The announcement follows recent promises of support to the military, which lacks funds, equipment and technical expertise.

FILE- France's President Emmanuel Macron (R) and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attending a meeting at the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris. AFP

Presidency spokeswoman Najat Charafeddine said President Joseph Aoun met French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan and ambassadors including from the US, Egypt and Qatar, discussing preparations for "a conference to support the Lebanese army and internal security forces".

"It was decided to hold the conference in Paris on March 5, to be opened by French President Emmanuel Macron," she said at the presidential palace.

Under US pressure, Lebanon has committed to disarming the Hezbollah group, which engaged in more than a year of hostilities with Israel that largely ended in late 2024.

Last week, Lebanon's army said it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm the group, covering the area south of the Litani river, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border.

A plan for the disarmament north of the Litani is to be presented to cabinet next month.

Lebanon's army has dismantled tunnels and other military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah near the Israeli border in recent months, seizing weapons and ammunition, despite its limited capacities.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, usually claiming it is targeting Hezbollah, and has maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic.

Last month, talks with international envoys in Paris touched on the Lebanese army's needs, while its chief agreed to document its progress in disarming Hezbollah.