French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have convened in Paris to discuss bolstering Lebanon’s military capabilities and addressing ongoing Israeli attacks. The meeting, which also included King Abdullah II of Jordan, aimed to garner international support for the Lebanese army amid escalating regional tensions. The discussions were centered on reviewing a deployment plan for the Lebanese armed forces and the potential creation of a new force to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate is set to expire at the end of the year.
Macron emphasized the importance of a sovereign and stable Lebanon for regional peace and stability. “A sovereign and stable Lebanon is a decisive step toward peace and stability for the entire region,” Macron stated in a message on social media platform X. He reiterated France’s support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, describing them as “indispensable for asserting the authority of the Lebanese state across its entire territory.”
The talks come in the wake of a US-mediated framework agreement signed in June between Israel and Lebanon, which aimed to address issues such as the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon. However, the agreement has not resulted in an Israeli withdrawal, and Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory have continued. As a result, the discussions in Paris also focused on efforts to end these attacks, as well as the broader implications for Lebanon’s sovereignty and security.
President Aoun expressed his commitment to strengthening the Lebanese army, which he described as the “main pillar for protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty.” He stressed that enhancing state authority is a Lebanese decision, not an externally imposed demand. Aoun also reiterated his stance that only the state should possess arms, underscoring the Lebanese army’s role in maintaining stability. Despite being poorly equipped, the Lebanese forces have faced challenges in disarming Hezbollah in the south, a task Aoun is determined to pursue without confrontation.
The Paris talks also addressed the future of peacekeeping efforts in southern Lebanon. With the UNIFIL mandate ending on December 31, 2026, France and Italy have proposed establishing a multinational coalition to succeed the UN mission. This new force would aim to prevent a security vacuum in the region after UN peacekeepers leave. The current UNIFIL force includes nearly 7,500 peacekeepers from 46 countries.
The discussions in Paris were attended by defense chiefs from Lebanon, Jordan, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, along with top US and Saudi officials. The French presidency highlighted the need for a “clear, credible and realistic” framework for the Lebanese armed forces deployment plan, which is seen as a prerequisite for robust international support. This support could take the form of financial assistance, equipment, or training to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese military.
The talks are significant in the context of the broader Middle Eastern conflict, which has seen Israeli forces continue to occupy a stretch of Lebanese territory approximately 10 kilometers deep along the border. Aoun has called for a new force, potentially European or otherwise, to ensure stability in southern Lebanon and prevent further escalation. The situation remains tense, with fears of renewed Israeli military campaigns growing in Lebanon despite the ceasefire agreed upon in June.
The outcome of the Paris discussions could have a profound impact on Lebanon’s ability to assert its sovereignty and maintain security amid ongoing regional challenges. However, the effectiveness of the proposed international support for the Lebanese army remains uncertain, and the details of how this support will be mobilized are yet to be clarified.
