France steps up its preparations with Jordan to assist Lebanese army

France is intensifying efforts to bolster the Lebanese army alongside Jordan, according to a senior French official. The aim is to assist Lebanese security forces in disarming Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia that refuses to lay down its weapons amid ongoing hostilities with Israel. King Abdullah II of Jordan is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on September 17 to launch a new initiative, known as the Aqaba Process.

This initiative, under the auspices of the King of Jordan, seeks to enhance regional military and security cooperation.

French President Emmanuel Macron's special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Lebanese army. He stated that "you cannot ask the army to ensure Hezbollah gives up its weapons if it lacks the means to command respect." The Aqaba process, launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II, aims to bolster military and security collaboration in the region.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, US and Saudi representatives, as well as former colonial powers France and Italy, are expected to attend the Paris meeting.

France initially planned to host a conference to support the Lebanese army in March, but the date has been postponed due to the Iran war that began in late February. France, along with Italy, is leading efforts to establish a support mission for the Lebanese army in anticipation of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon's withdrawal in December after nearly five decades of deployment. Several EU states, including Ireland, are interested in joining the mission, though its formation remains unclear.

Le Drian expressed his concern over Israel's occupation of Lebanon, stating that the Israeli government is unlikely to make concessions on Lebanon before the October elections. Hezbollah has rejected US-brokered negotiations and appears to have strengthened its alliance with Iran. In March, Hezbollah struck Israel following the onset of the Iran war, triggering a "completely disproportionate" Israeli response.

Israel has destroyed several border villages in south Lebanon and is now supposed to withdraw from designated "pilot zones" where the Lebanese army is meant to deploy, while Hezbollah is expected to withdraw. However, talks are currently stalled.

The latest war has also derailed Lebanon's fragile recovery efforts following years of financial crisis and an Israeli bombing campaign in 2024, which killed most of Hezbollah's mid and high-ranking officials. The election of pro-western President Joseph Aoun in early 2025 has raised hopes that Lebanon will advance with the disarmament of Hezbollah and implement urgent government and financial reforms. Le Drian acknowledged that while Lebanon is no longer in a dire state like "the Titanic," it is far from being saved.