France's defense minister said Lebanon's armed forces need greater support as he concluded a Gulf tour on Tuesday, emphasizing their crucial role in securing border areas after Israel's war with Hezbollah.
As efforts toward a cease-fire gain momentum, Sébastien Lecornu told AFP that he had raised the prospect of "operational support" for the Lebanese armed forces during his trip.
"I reiterated to each counterpart that we need their support for the Lebanese armed forces," he said following visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
"[This is] both for the central role they play in welfare matters and in the security sphere. We must consider providing more operational support on the military side," Lecornu added.
The minister was speaking in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, before meeting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the conclusion of his three-country tour.
Diplomatic efforts are intensifying to secure a cease-fire based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The resolution calls for the deployment of Lebanese government forces and the United Nations peacekeeping force UNIFIL in areas south of Lebanon's Litani River near the Israeli border, alongside the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
"There isn’t a better solution at this stage than respecting Resolution 1701 and supporting the Lebanese armed forces," Lecornu said.
However, "to secure the border between Israel and Lebanon, and to reinforce Lebanon's sovereignty, the armed forces must be properly equipped," he added.
The Lebanese army is expected to play a greater role in maintaining border stability in the event of a cease-fire, though it currently struggles to meet the basic needs of its 80,000 soldiers.
The army has previously received financial assistance from Qatar and the United States to pay salaries.
Last month, a conference in Paris raised $200 million to support the Lebanese armed forces, in addition to $800 million in humanitarian aid for the country.
Israel expanded its operations from Gaza to Lebanon in late September, aiming to secure its northern border and enable tens of thousands of people displaced by cross-border fire to return home.
Since the clashes began, triggered by Hezbollah attacks on Israel, more than 3,510 people in Lebanon have been killed, according to authorities, with the majority of fatalities occurring since late September.
The Lebanese government says it is prepared to deploy the army to the border to enforce a cease-fire and has plans to recruit 1,500 more soldiers.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated last month that 4,500 military personnel are stationed in the south and expressed a goal to increase their numbers to between 7,000 and 11,000.
Lecornu's tour also comes two weeks before French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit Saudi Arabia for discussions focused on defense and investment in new technologies.
France's defense minister said Lebanon's armed forces need greater support as he concluded a Gulf tour on Tuesday, emphasizing their crucial role in securing border areas after Israel's war with Hezbollah.As efforts toward a cease-fire gain momentum, Sébastien Lecornu told AFP that he had raised the prospect of "operational support" for the Lebanese armed forces during his trip."I reiterated to each counterpart that we need their support for the Lebanese armed forces," he said following visits to Qatar and Saudi Arabia."[This is] both for the central role they play in welfare matters and in the security sphere. We must consider providing more operational support on the military side," Lecornu added.The minister was speaking in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, before meeting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the...
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