In the center, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, during the tour organized by the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon, on Nov. 15, 2025. (Credit: Released by the army)
The Lebanese Army announced Monday, in a statement, that it had organized, "in the presence of the army commander, General Rodolph Haykal, a field tour for ambassadors, chargés d'affaires and military attachés."
The purpose was "to allow them to learn about the implementation of the first phase of the army's plan in the sector south of the Litani, in accordance with the decision of the political authority, as well as the military institution's missions across Lebanese territory."
From the command post in the sector south of the Litani, in Sour, Haykal stressed that "the fundamental objective of the military institution is to ensure stability, while the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories continues alongside ongoing aggressions."
He noted that the aim of the tour was to "reaffirm the army's commitment to implement Resolution 1701 and the cease-fire agreement, and to execute the missions assigned to it, despite limited capacities."
A presentation was also given on the army's missions in different regions of the country, the general situation south of the Litani, and cooperation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), especially regarding the implementation of the first phase of the army's plan, in coordination with the cease-fire monitoring committee ("mechanism").
The LBCI channel reported that the army's presentation focused diplomatically on the evaluation of the first phase of the process aimed at ensuring the state's monopoly on arms, the mechanisms for transition to the second phase and the challenges facing the military institution.
During the meeting, Haykal also emphasized the importance of supporting the army and all parties' commitment to respect the cease-fire agreement and Lebanese sovereignty.
According to the statement, the army commander also expressed his gratitude to the friendly and brotherly countries represented, praising the attention they give to Lebanon. He also stated that "the people, as well as all components of Lebanese society, trust the army."
The army also notes that the diplomats present praised "the professionalism and rigor" of the military institution, highlighting "the sacrifices of its members in carrying out their duties," before touring "several centers and positions concerned by the plan."
Haykal arrived in the morning at the Benoît Barakat barracks in Sour, accompanied by Arab and foreign diplomats.
They were welcomed by the commander of the sector south of the Litani, General Nicolas Tabet, who presented operations conducted by the army in that area.
The delegation then traveled to the western sector of southern Lebanon to visit several army posts at the border with Israel, including in Aita al-Shaab and Wadi Zebqine, areas regularly targeted by Israel during and after the war.
According to the Al Markazia agency, the tour "is also expected to cover a Hezbollah installation in Wadi Zebqine, as well as an army post at that location." The agency notes that this tour was accompanied by heightened security measures.
The most recent war between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated in September 2024 and concluded with a cease-fire in November of the same year, left the party exhausted and southern Lebanon in ruins.
This agreement mandates the disarmament of militias, including Hezbollah — a task assigned to the Lebanese Army and reinforced by two Lebanese government decisions from August 2025, confirming the monopoly on arms by the state.
However, this operation led by the army since the summer of 2025 has been regularly criticized, notably by Israel and the U.S., who consider the process too slow or insufficient. It is in this context that the army organized this tour for foreign diplomats.
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