A Lebanese soldier mounting a machine gun on a military vehicle in Beirut. (Photo credit: File photo Joseph Eid/AFP]
BEIRUT — Financial aid to support Lebanese army personnel salaries is in "its final organizational phase," UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka announced on Monday, following years of dwindling income for troops and other sectors of Lebanese society as the national currency depreciates.
"The American aid for the salaries of the military is in its final organizational phase and will be paid to them through a United Nations aid program," said Wronecka to caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim, according to a statement issued Monday by the Presidency of the Republic.
Continuity of the military institution
A source at the presidential palace in Baabda, however, told L'Orient Today that there is still "nothing concrete on this subject."
"The United States is studying this plan and will coordinate with the UN so that support for the troops takes the form of a UN aid to ensure the continuity of the military institution," the source added without giving further details, also mentioning that the UN continues to provide food aid to the army.
Two army spokespersons could not be reached immediately by L'Orient Today on Tuesday.
Many personnel have left the army since 2020, hit hard by Lebanon's financial collapse. Soldiers, most of whom earn less than $100 per month, have seen their purchasing power dwindle and their living conditions deteriorate.
Several countries, including the US, Qatar and Turkey, are working to support the army. In June, Doha pledged $60 million, which, according to a military source, would provide $100 for each soldier until the end of the year. In January, the US State Department informed Congress of its intention to redirect $67 million in military aid to Lebanon to include "livelihood support" for Lebanese soldiers, citing economic and social unrest, Reuters reported.