France steps up its preparations with Jordan to assist Lebanese army
France will host a meeting this month with King Abdullah II of Jordan before a conference in support of the Lebanese army, a senior French official said on Friday. The aim is to help Lebanese security forces disarm Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militia is refusing to lay down its weapons amid hostilities with Israel , which occupies about seven per cent of Lebanese territory. “A new initiative is…
France is intensifying its efforts to assist Lebanon in disarmament efforts against Hezbollah, following tensions with Israel. On September 17, a meeting will take place in Paris, hosted by King Abdullah II of Jordan, to support the Lebanese army. The Aqaba Process, launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II, aims to strengthen regional military and security cooperation.
The upcoming meeting will also see the attendance of French President Emmanuel Macron's special envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, along with US and Saudi representatives. France, which has close ties to Lebanon, has been pushing for a support mission to the Lebanese army since the start of the Iran war in late February. This mission, led by France in coordination with EU states, aims to strengthen the army's capabilities as the UN Interim Force in Lebanon prepares to withdraw in December.
Le Drian expressed concern over Israel's occupation of Lebanon and the recent Israeli invasion of south Lebanon, which destroyed several border villages. He also noted that the war has hindered Lebanon's recovery efforts after years of financial crisis and an Israeli bombing campaign in 2024. Despite these challenges, Le Drian remains hopeful for Lebanon's future, citing the election of pro-western President Joseph Aoun in early 2025 as a potential turning point.
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