French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Joseph Aoun of Lebanon in Paris on Thursday. This meeting is aimed at garnering international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and discussing necessary plans to strengthen these forces.
International Cooperation and Support Process
The talks are part of a support process that began in 2015 by Jordan, bringing together senior officials and military experts from France, the UK, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United States. The goal of this meeting is to review plans related to the deployment of Lebanese forces and broader efforts to stabilize the region. Given the UN Security Council's decision to end the mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on December 31, 2026, Lebanon is in dire need of international support for its armed forces.
Read more: Friedrich Merz Warns Iran and Houthis About the Strait of Hormuz
Currently, Lebanon is striving to prevent a security vacuum in the south of the country. The country has about 7,500 peacekeeping forces from nearly 50 countries. Thursday's meeting will focus on "immediate operational issues," and France and its partners are looking to assess how to assist the Lebanese Army with financial support, equipment, intelligence, and, if necessary, operational guidance.
Lebanon's Security and Diplomatic Challenges
In recent years, Lebanon has faced serious security challenges due to regional conflicts and the military activities of armed groups like Hezbollah. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has emphasized the importance of forming a new force for Lebanon ahead of his trip to France, stating that the nature of this force, whether European or non-European, is not important to him. He has also stressed that the optimal option is to extend the UNIFIL mission.
Aoun also pointed out that any new force in southern Lebanon, especially in areas occupied by Israel, would be temporary until the Lebanese Army can be fully deployed. He stated that the aim of these actions is to create a security agreement with Israel to end the hostile situation and establish the army at the border.
Additionally, Lebanon is currently facing challenges of instability and ongoing conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel. While Lebanon seeks to strengthen its armed forces, Hezbollah remains a powerful force in Lebanon's politics and military, influencing decisions regarding diplomacy and security.
Read more: Latest News from Europe and Beyond on September 16, 2026 · Bold Thefts from Museums: Is Art in Danger?
