Lebanese army to hold joint drills with Britain
Lebanon and Britain are to hold three weeks of military drills beginning on Tuesday, as European countries try to build the Lebanese army into a cornerstone of peace with Israel . The exercise, known as Pegasus Cedar 2026, will see troops from the Royal Regiment of Scotland train with an air assault team from the Lebanese Armed Forces. The drills will include reconnaissance, and urban warfare…
Lebanon and Britain are set to commence a three-week military exercise called Pegasus Cedar 2026, kicking off on Tuesday. The drills, aimed at bolstering the Lebanese army's role in maintaining peace with Israel, will see British troops from the Royal Regiment of Scotland collaborate with Lebanese Armed Forces personnel, including an air assault team.
The joint training sessions will encompass reconnaissance, urban warfare tactics, helicopter operations, and mortar fire exercises. Lebanon is not alone in participating, as the United States, Qatar, and Jordan will also be involved. This marks the first time British forces have been stationed in a base in Cyprus for such drills since the Hamas attack on Israel triggered a regional conflict in 2023.
Lebanon's involvement in the war has been a result of ongoing clashes between Hezbollah and Israel, with Israeli troops occupying a significant portion of southern Lebanon. In response, Lebanon ordered its residents to evacuate and demolished numerous homes and villages. The US-backed peace process seeks to gradually strengthen the Lebanese army, disarm Hezbollah, and achieve Israeli withdrawal.
However, doubts persist regarding the Lebanese army's readiness for these responsibilities. The British ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, stated that the British military teams will train alongside all branches of the Lebanese military to enhance their capabilities as the sole legitimate defenders of Lebanon. Lt Gen Charles Collins, Britain's deputy chief of the defence staff, visited Beirut to discuss the security situation in southern Lebanon, meeting with Lebanese army chief Gen Rodolphe Haykal.
European efforts to assist the Lebanese army are on the horizon, with France hosting a meeting of military officials from Europe, the Arab world, and the US last month. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, a former general himself, called for a "long-term partnership" during this gathering. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed his country's involvement in preparations for a new military force.
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