Paris Conference Approves 'In-kind' Aid to Lebanese Army to Ensure Stability

The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, receiving the Chief of the General Staff of the French Army, General Francois Lecointre (L). AFP photo / Lebanese army
The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, receiving the Chief of the General Staff of the French Army, General Francois Lecointre (L). AFP photo / Lebanese army
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Paris Conference Approves 'In-kind' Aid to Lebanese Army to Ensure Stability

The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, receiving the Chief of the General Staff of the French Army, General Francois Lecointre (L). AFP photo / Lebanese army
The Commander of the Lebanese Army, General Joseph Aoun, receiving the Chief of the General Staff of the French Army, General Francois Lecointre (L). AFP photo / Lebanese army

A statement issued by the French Ministry of Defense at the end of the “multilateral conference in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces”, organized by Paris on Thursday, in partnership with Italy and the United Nations, did not reveal the details of the aid pledged by the parties.

However, sources in Paris said this assistance will be all “in-kind”, and it will take place on a bilateral level between Lebanon and the concerned parties, while coordination will be undertaken by a Lebanese-UN body to avoid any confusion in the distribution of aid.

The statement did not detail the level of representation for the 20 countries and bodies that joined the virtual conference, but Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the participants were the permanent members of the Security Council and four Gulf states, in addition to Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.

From Europe, countries that took part in the meeting included Spain, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, in addition to the United Nations and the European Union.

The conference was inaugurated by French Minister of Defense Florence Parly and her Italian counterpart, followed by the Lebanese Minister of Defense Zeina Akar. Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun gave an overview of the emergency needs of the military establishment. Seven ministers participated in the conference, while other parties were represented at lower levels.

The statement noted that the goal of the conference was to “provide a coherent response to the urgent needs” expressed by the Lebanese army, in reference to the visit paid by Aoun to Paris in late May.

It also pointed to the deterioration of the economic and social situation in Lebanon and the diverse tasks assigned to the army, which remains a “basic pillar” of the Lebanese state.

The new international support for the Lebanese army is “an expression (by the participating parties) of commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Lebanon, and will thus contribute to maintaining stability,” according to the statement.

However, the statement cautioned that the purpose was not to provide financial resources to deliver weapons and additional equipment to the army, nor to provide funds to pay military salaries and pensions. Hence, the participants described the new aid as “exceptional” and a response to an “emergency situation,” warning the Lebanese authorities and politicians that it “is not a substitute for the necessary reforms that Lebanon needs for its stability and safety.”

The conference made an urgent call for the formation of a government as soon as possible, stressing that continued stalling was an “irresponsible act” and reminding of the need to dissociate Lebanon from regional crises.

In her opening speech, Parly said that all sides were keen on “ensuring that the Lebanese army remains able to carry out its tasks in maintaining security and stability.”

The Lebanese army commander, for his part, sounded the alarm and warned of the collapse of the army if the crisis continued. He also briefed conferees on the economic and social situation and its repercussions on the military institution, which continues to enjoy local and international support and trust.



Israel Strikes Hezbollah's 'Radwan Force' Deep Inside Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

Smoke rises over Baalbek, Hezbollah stronghold near Syria border – AFP
Smoke rises over Baalbek, Hezbollah stronghold near Syria border – AFP
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Israel Strikes Hezbollah's 'Radwan Force' Deep Inside Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley

Smoke rises over Baalbek, Hezbollah stronghold near Syria border – AFP
Smoke rises over Baalbek, Hezbollah stronghold near Syria border – AFP

Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Tuesday, targeting Hezbollah’s elite Radwan force in what Israeli officials described as an effort to disrupt the group’s attempts to rebuild its military capabilities.

The strikes, which followed more than 48 hours of relative calm along the Lebanese-Israeli border, marked a sharp escalation as US-brokered negotiations continue between Washington and Beirut over proposals to curb Hezbollah’s armed presence.

Military analysts said the Israeli escalation appeared aimed at sending a forceful message as US envoy Tom Barrack pushes Lebanese authorities to accept a timeline for the group's disarmament under a potential ceasefire framework.

Israeli warplanes struck targets in both the eastern and western mountain ranges of the Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Two initial raids hit areas west of Baalbek- Shmistar and Wadi Umm Ali - followed by more strikes southeast of the city.

NNA reported that 12 people were killed in the bombardment, while Reuters confirmed that five of the dead were Hezbollah members. Local media said Syrian nationals were among those killed in strikes near Hermel.

Footage shared online showed plumes of smoke rising from bombed-out sites across the Bekaa. Shrapnel shattered windows at a public high school in Shmistar where students were sitting for state exams, and a revered religious shrine - Maqam al-Nabi Ismail in Brital - was reportedly damaged. Two civilians were wounded.

In its first official response, Hezbollah condemned the airstrikes as a “major escalation” in Israel’s months-long military campaign against Lebanon. The Iran-backed group urged the Lebanese state to “break its futile silence” and called for immediate international intervention, particularly from the United States, to uphold existing ceasefire guarantees.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the strikes were intended as a “clear message” to Hezbollah, accusing the group of attempting to restore its operational capabilities along the border.

In a statement posted on X, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said the air raids targeted Hezbollah’s Radwan force in the Bekaa, including training camps and weapons depots.

He added that militants had been conducting live-fire exercises and tactical drills at the sites, which he called a “flagrant violation” of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

According to Adraee, the Radwan unit - tasked in the past with a plan to seize territory in northern Israel - has been attempting to regroup since several of its senior commanders were killed in Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon in September 2024.

In contrast to the Bekaa, the situation along southern Lebanon remained relatively stable on Tuesday, though NNA reported that Israeli troops fired machine guns toward the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and shot at the newly established Blat Hill position overlooking the village of Rmaich.

Retired Lebanese Brig. Gen. Hassan Jouni said the Bekaa raids were part of a “calibrated pressure campaign” tied to the ongoing negotiations.

“The timing of these airstrikes is clearly linked to the back-and-forth between Lebanon and Washington. Israel wants to remind everyone of the current balance of power and signal that military pressure will continue until Hezbollah gives up its weapons,” Jouni told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper.

He said Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its capabilities had been publicly acknowledged by the group’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, placing the Lebanese government in a difficult position between appeasing US demands and avoiding internal strife.

Another retired officer, Brigadier General George Nader, warned that Israel’s message was clear: failure to cooperate with US proposals could lead to intensified strikes.

“While some speculate about a ground invasion, I find it unlikely,” Nader told Asharq al-Awsat. “Why would Israel risk soldiers’ lives when it can strike targets from the air with precision drones and jets?”

He cautioned that unless Lebanese officials take a decisive stance, the country could face a more aggressive Israeli air campaign in the coming weeks.