Paris meeting to strengthen Lebanese army as UN mission ends

European and Arab military chiefs convened in Paris on Thursday to chart a coordinated response aimed at strengthening Lebanon’s ailing armed forces. The high‑level talks come as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) faces the expiration of its mandate at the close of the year, prompting concerns that the withdrawal of peacekeepers could create a security vacuum in the volatile south. Delegates from NATO member states, the European Union, and the Arab League discussed logistical, training, and equipment assistance, emphasizing the need for rapid capacity‑building measures to enable Lebanese forces to maintain stability along the border with Israel.

The meeting was framed by heightened anxieties over a possible renewed Israeli military campaign in southern Lebanon, following a series of cross‑border incidents that have escalated tensions in recent weeks. Participants stressed that bolstering the Lebanese army is essential to prevent a broader escalation and to uphold the ceasefire that has held since 2006. While concrete agreements remain under negotiation, the gathering underscored a shared commitment among European and Arab partners to support Lebanon’s security sector before the UN peacekeeping drawdown, aiming to preserve regional stability as the year draws to a close.