Lebanese army receives a donation from French and Cypriot authorities

French and Cypriot authorities donated to the Lebanese army on Friday, as the crisis-hit country struggles to implement a fragile truce between Israel and Hezbollah, ending Sunday after clashes between the two belligerents.

The French and Cypriot embassies stated in a joint statement that the Lebanese army received "10 backhoe loaders and 10 compactors for engineering units, for clearing and restoring roadways, particularly in southern Lebanon, as well as maintenance parts for armored personnel carriers." 

The event organized at the Port of Beirut was attended by French Ambassador Hervé Magro, Cypriot Ambassador Maria Hadjitheodosiou, and the interim commander's representative, Chief of Staff Hassan Audi, reported the state-run National News Agency (NNA). 

"These aids do not just reinforce the army's capabilities, they also demonstrate the trust of friendly countries in the military institution's capacity to ensure security and stability in Lebanon," said Brigadier General Tony Abboud, chief of the logistics branch of the Lebanese army.

"The Lebanese army has a major and central role to play for the future and the reconstruction of this country. We will continue to support it with our international partners, so it can continue to assume all the responsibilities entrusted to it, especially in implementing the ceasefire and the application of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701," stated Magro.

"The assistance provided today, consisting of 33 tons of supplies and support equipment for the Lebanese armed forces, is a demonstration of Cyprus' solidarity with Lebanon, and a clear support to the Lebanese armed forces to meet some urgent needs," said Hadjitheodosiou. 

The French embassy also said in its statement that Paris has "contributed a total of nearly 12 million euros over the past five years to strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese army."

"The International Conference to Support the Population and Sovereignty of Lebanon held in Paris on Oct. 24, 2024, also raised $200 million to support and strengthen the Lebanese security forces," it added.

The aid announced by these two European countries adds to a series of support from the Western camp to bolster the Lebanese army. Last week, the European Union announced aid of 60 million euros. Mid-January, Spain announced from Beirut a contribution of 10 million euros to the Lebanese armed forces, while the United States expressed its intention to release more than $117 million (113 million euros) in security aid.

The economic crisis in Lebanon, one of the worst in the world since the mid-1800s according to the World Bank, has depleted the public treasury and the armed forces, plunging the majority of the population into poverty.