Lebanese army to hold joint drills with Britain

Lebanon and Britain are set to conduct a three-week military training exercise, known as Pegasus Cedar 2026, starting on Tuesday. This joint effort aims to strengthen the Lebanese army's capabilities and establish it as a key player in maintaining peace with Israel. The Royal Regiment of Scotland will partner with the Lebanese Armed Forces' air assault team during the drills, which will cover various aspects such as reconnaissance, urban warfare, helicopter operations, and mortar fire exercises.

The British troops are currently stationed at a base in Cyprus, marking the first occurrence of such drills since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered a regional conflict in 2023. Lebanon has been frequently entangled in the war due to clashes between Hezbollah and Israel on its territory. Following the Israeli occupation of a significant portion of southern Lebanon, residents were compelled to evacuate, leading to the destruction of numerous homes and villages.

A US-backed peace process seeks to gradually restore the Lebanese army's control and disarm Hezbollah in return for an Israeli withdrawal. However, concerns persist regarding the Lebanese army's limited resources and equipment, raising doubts about its ability to fulfill this role effectively. The British ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, explained that the British military training teams collaborate with all branches of the Lebanese military to bolster their essential functions and enhance the Lebanese Armed Forces' capabilities as the country's sole legitimate defender.

Lt Gen Charles Collins, Britain's deputy chief of the defence staff, also visited Beirut to discuss the security situation in southern Lebanon. During his visit, he met with Lebanese army chief Gen Rodolphe Haykal. European nations are planning several initiatives to assist the Lebanese army. France convened a gathering of European, Arab, and US military officials in Paris last month, where Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, a former general, called for a "long-term partnership."

Aoun is also advocating for a replacement for the UN peacekeeping force Unifil, whose mandate is set to expire this year. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto revealed last week that his country is involved in preparations for a new military force.