The Qatari capital is set to host a preparatory meeting on Sunday ahead of an international conference in Paris aimed at supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces.
The Doha meeting will bring together the five sponsoring countries - France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt - along with other states and international and regional organizations.
Its purpose is to understand LAF’s needs, while developing financial and military support mechanisms to ensure the success of the main conference, scheduled for March 5 in Paris. French officials expect around 50 countries and 10 organizations to take part.
Given the central role of the LAF, its responsibilities and its contribution to upholding Lebanese sovereignty, both the Doha meeting and the Paris conference are expected to provide it with substantial political backing.
According to French sources, the one-day conference will be co-hoted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Expectations from the Doha Meeting
Paris is playing a key role in organizing both meetings. Preparations were among the main issues discussed during the two-day visit to Beirut last weekend of French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
His visit coincided with the Lebanese army leadership’s preparations for the second phase of an operation to disarm Hezbollah. This phase covers the area stretching from the Litani River to the Awali River, north of the southern port city of Sidon.
Paris identifies two main challenges. The first is the need to continue the disarmament process launched by the army in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The second is enabling conference participants to accurately assess the army’s needs, allowing international partners to coordinate their support through a dedicated mechanism.
France has deliberately avoided setting a specific figure for the assistance expected to be announced at the conference, stressing that support will be multi-dimensional and not limited to financial aid.
It will also include military capabilities, logistical support and training. Paris estimates the LAF’s annual needs at more than $1 billion, but notes that these cannot be met through foreign assistance alone and that part must be covered by the Lebanese state budget.
Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal reported receiving assurances during talks in Washington that the United States remains committed to supporting the LAF.
Paris and the other four sponsors are counting on the Doha meeting to allow the army command to present a detailed assessment of its needs.
Borders, Syria and the Economy
Paris has also expressed satisfaction with the results of Barrot’s talks in Beirut regarding Lebanon’s relations with its neighbors, particularly Syria. French officials believe that an agreement to transfer Syrian prisoners held in Lebanon back to Syria could have a positive impact on the demarcation of the land border between the two countries.
France has offered its assistance, saying it holds mandate-era maps.
The prisoner transfer deal could also impact the return of Syrian refugees, an issue of strategic importance for Lebanon.
At the same time, Paris is fully aware of the challenges Lebanon faces with Israel, whether due to near-daily military operations or Israel’s refusal to withdraw from five positions it occupies inside Lebanese territory.
France nevertheless welcomes the indirect talks held within the framework of the ceasefire mechanism committee and supports maintaining it, even though its impact on the ground has so far been limited.
Barrot's talks also focused on financial and economic issues, notably the so-called financial gap law approved by the cabinet and sent to parliament for discussion.
France has called for its approval before the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, arguing that such a step would send a positive signal about the seriousness of Lebanese authorities in addressing the country’s economic crisis.
Paris believes parliamentary approval would have a direct impact on prospects for a conference to support the Lebanese economy, which France has reaffirmed its readiness to host.
