Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on the international community to support his country's security forces and replace a UN mission withdrawing at the end of the year.
At a meeting of European, Arab and US military officials in Paris on Thursday, Mr Aoun said Lebanon did not want “temporary fixes” but a “long-term partnership”.
Jordan's King Abdullah II convened the gathering, which was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and intended to lay the ground for a conference in support of the Lebanese army and internal security forces.
In a joint statement, Jordan and France said they backed Lebanon's efforts to disarm the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah. "They affirmed the support of France and Jordan for the Lebanese state’s efforts to guarantee Lebanon’s security, enhance its sovereignty over its entire territory, and ensure the state’s monopoly on weapons," the statement said.
Army chiefs from Lebanon, Jordan, the UK and France joined the meeting at the Invalides military complex in Paris. The US delegation included Gen Joseph Clearfield, head of the military co-ordination group for Lebanon, as well as State Department Counsellor Daniel Holler and special envoy Tom Barrack.
'Grim reality'
High on the agenda was the Israeli occupation of parts of south Lebanon as US-brokered diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon falter. A ceasefire brokered in June appears under threat as Israel hardens its position ahead of elections in October.
“Lebanon is currently enduring a devastating war. Its people are paying a heavy price, with over 4,000 martyrs – including 399 women and 261 children – while its land, cities and villages face systematic destruction,” Mr Aoun said.
France and Jordan separately signed a defence agreement. In the joint statement, they said it "strengthens their ability to address rapidly evolving new challenges and threats, supports Jordan’s defence capacity-building efforts, and enables France and Jordan to make an even greater joint contribution to establishing security and stability in the Near and Middle East."
The meeting in Paris took place under the Aqaba framework, an initiative launched in 2015 by King Abdullah to enhance regional military and security co-operation.
Avoiding a vacuum
Italy and France are playing a leading role in laying the groundwork to replace Unifil, which is scheduled to leave south Lebanon after five decades of deployment later this year due to US and Israeli pressure.
Based in south Lebanon, a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah, Unifil functions as an observation mission and records security breaches. It has come under fire from both sides and lost personnel during hostilities. Israel has accused it of failing to disarm Hezbollah, though Unifil's mandate was limited to supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces in doing so.
Lebanese authorities and its relatively weak military have historically baulked at disarming the militia against its will because of the strength of its military capabilities and its entrenchment in the Lebanese sectarian political system.
For now, an estimated 10 EU nations are ready to contribute to a new military and civilian mission to advise and train the Lebanese Armed Forces. Discussions with Israeli and US representatives are expected to take place at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.
Mr Aoun, a former army commander, said that the Lebanese army's responsibilities were becoming more “complex and demanding” with “the anticipated shifts regarding Unifil's presence and role in the south”.
“This transition must be organised and well-planned. It must not lead to any security vacuum, but rather strengthen the presence of the state and its institutions – foremost among them the Lebanese Army – on the ground,” he added.
