Lebanon said Wednesday that a conference in support of the country’s army as it seeks to disarm militant group Hezbollah would take place in Paris on March 5.
– The announcement follows recent promises of support to the military, which lacks funds, equipment and technical expertise.
– President Joseph Aoun met French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi envoy Yazid bin Farhan and ambassadors including from the US, Egypt and Qatar, discussing preparations for “a conference to support the Lebanese army and internal security forces”.
– It was decided to hold the conference in Paris on March 5, to be opened by French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace.
– Last week, Lebanon’s army said it had completed the first phase of its plan to disarm the group, covering the area south of the Litani river, around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Israeli border.
– A plan for the disarmament north of the Litani is to be presented to cabinet next month.
– Lebanon’s army has dismantled tunnels and other military infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah near the Israeli border in recent months, seizing weapons and ammunition, despite its limited capacities.
– Despite the ceasefire, Israel has kept up regular strikes on Lebanon, usually saying it is targeting Hezbollah, and has maintained troops in five south Lebanon areas it deems strategic.
– Last month, talks with international envoys in Paris touched on the Lebanese army’s needs, while its chief agreed to document its progress in disarming Hezbollah.
https://www.barrons.com/news/lebanon-says-france-to-host-conference-to-support-army-3dceb524