The army commander-in-chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, addressing a gathering of officers at the Defense Ministry in Yarzeh, on Dec. 23, 2025. (Credit: X account @LebarmyOfficial)
BEIRUT — Lebanese Army commander General Rodolphe Haykal said Tuesday that the army is close to completing the first phase of its plan to disarm militias, including Hezbollah, in line with the ceasefire that took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.
"The army is finishing the first phase of its plan, and we are proceeding with evaluation and planning with precision and diligence for the next phases, taking all elements and conditions into account," General Haykal said.
The army is tasked with disarming militias across all Lebanese territory, especially south of the Litani, in line with government decisions taken in August 2025 and the ceasefire agreement reached in November 2024 between Hezbollah and Israel.
The latter regularly accuses the army of not doing enough to enforce this disarmament.
The meeting began with a minute of silence in memory of soldiers who fell for the nation, including the servicemember killed Monday in an Israeli strike.
Rumors about his belonging to Hezbollah were firmly denied by the army. General Haykal praised "the success of units in their various missions, including maintaining security and monitoring the borders, in coordination with Syrian authorities."
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime a year ago, tensions have regularly erupted at the borders between the new Syrian forces and Lebanese clans close to Hezbollah, requiring army intervention to restore calm.
"Our soldiers demonstrate utmost loyalty and dedication, convinced of their mission," the general emphasized. "We have observed this during numerous recent operations carried out by military units, exposed to great danger without it affecting their morale or determination."
He also emphasized on the "solidarity of the residents" of South Lebanon and the "active cooperation between the military institution, the cease-fire oversight committee, and UNIFIL."
The commander-in-chief paid tribute to the sacrifices of soldiers: "They contribute to the army's success, ... are a vital pillar for the country's progress and future, and ... take part in writing Lebanon’s history."
He recalled that the military "relies on the unwavering principles of the military institution, principles that will remain unchanged whatever the pressures."
Strengthening troop capabilities
"We aim to strengthen the capabilities of the troops so they become the guarantor of Lebanese security, capable of defending our people throughout the national territory," General Haykal added.
"This requires substantial and qualitative support, recognized by brotherly and friendly countries that strive to provide such support to the army and the other security services."
In this context, General Haykal discussed his visit to France, highlighting the positive feedback he received during meetings about "the professionalism of the army."
"This performance is now worthy of the trust of brotherly and friendly countries, despite repeated accusations and Israeli attempts to discredit the troops," he stressed.
The special envoys from the United States, France, and Saudi Arabia announced Thursday in a joint statement that an international conference will be held in February 2026 to support the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces (ISF), with the aim of bolstering implementation of the disarmament plan for militias.
The decision was made following a meeting in Paris with the army chief, who presented the latest developments in the so-called "National Shield" plan, which calls for the complete disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River by the end of the year.
The location of the conference has not yet been announced. This fundraiser for the Lebanese army will be the first since the conference held in Paris in October 2024, during the open war between Israel and the Shiite party. That event raised nearly one billion euros.
