France, Lebanon and Jordan discuss military aid and southern Lebanon security

International security talks convened in Paris to evaluate military aid for the Lebanese Armed Forces and plan future peacekeeping arrangements in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing regional escalation and a shifting diplomatic landscape. French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Jordan’s King Abdullah II for the diplomatic summit, which focused on securing financial assistance, equipment, and training for Lebanon's military forces.

The high-level diplomatic meetings brought together key regional and international actors. According to reporting from Al Jazeera, the leaders were joined by chiefs of defence staff from Lebanon, Jordan, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, alongside top United States and Saudi officials. The discussions at Les Invalides and the Élysée Palace served as a preparatory session for an international donor conference aimed at mobilizing support for Lebanon’s army and Internal Security Forces.

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Support for the Lebanese military remains tightly conditioned by international partners. As reported by Jen and Qazinform, the French president’s office stated that international assistance depends directly on a credible, clear, and workable deployment plan for Lebanon’s armed forces. Macron emphasized that a strengthened army is indispensable for asserting the authority of the Lebanese state across its entire territory and reinforcing national sovereignty.

The diplomatic push coincides with the approaching conclusion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon mandate. Established in 1978, the UN mission is scheduled to end its mandate, prompting urgent discussions on how to prevent a security vacuum in the south. France and Italy have proposed establishing a multinational coalition or European force to succeed the UN mission, while other proposals involve intelligence-sharing, mentoring, and specialized training for local forces, as detailed by Latest news from Azerbaijan.

Complicating the security framework is the fragile situation on the ground in southern Lebanon. Following a war that escalated after regional hostilities erupted, Israeli forces continue to occupy a stretch of territory along the border. Although a US-sponsored framework agreement was signed in June to facilitate a gradual Israeli withdrawal, disarmament of Hezbollah, and deployment of the Lebanese army, implementation has stalled amid persistent attacks and cross-border violence.

Lebanese officials have reiterated their commitment to extending state authority, though domestic political constraints remain severe. President Aoun stressed that the Lebanese army is the main pillar for protecting the country's sovereignty and noted that the state aims to achieve Hezbollah's disarmament without triggering a destructive internal confrontation.

Regional dynamics have also been heavily strained by broader conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which added further urgency to the Paris meetings. Trade routes, maritime security, and energy infrastructure have faced disruptions across the wider Middle East, compounding the domestic financial crisis that Lebanon has endured since 2019.

During the bilateral sessions at the Élysée Palace, Aoun and Macron also reviewed broader areas of cooperation, including potential resumption of oil and gas exploration in Lebanese offshore blocks, alongside preparations for reconstruction efforts once hostilities permanently cease.