Egypt Calls for More Support to Lebanese Army

Egypt has urged the international community to step up support for Lebanon’s armed forces as the country moves forward with its plan to disarm Hezbollah and place all weapons under state control.

Speaking at a meeting in Cairo ahead of next month’s Paris conference on Lebanon, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty praised the Lebanese army for completing the first phase of the plan. He said this success showed the efficiency of the military and called for stronger international backing to help finish the remaining phases.

Lebanon’s government last year committed to disarming Hezbollah, which was weakened after a war with Israel, and gave the army responsibility for carrying out the plan. Since then, the military has dismantled facilities, confiscated weapons, and destroyed tunnels used by the group. In January, the army declared the first phase complete, covering the area south of the Litani River. The next phase will focus on areas north of the river and is expected to take at least four months.

Lebanon has received promises of support, but officials say the army still faces shortages of equipment, personnel, and technical capacity. Abdelatty stressed that the goal is to ensure all weapons are held only by the state, a step he said was vital for restoring stability.

The Cairo meeting brought together Lebanon’s top security chiefs, including Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal and Internal Security Forces Director General Major General Raed Abdallah. Representatives from the Quintet Committee on Lebanon also attended, including envoys from Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

At a separate meeting with French envoy Jean Yves Le Drian, Abdelatty called for a comprehensive international approach to Lebanon’s crisis. He insisted that stability could only be achieved if Israel halted its aggression and withdrew from occupied Lebanese territories.

Israel, however, has criticized the Lebanese army’s progress as insufficient. Despite a ceasefire agreed in late 2024, Israel has continued regular strikes on Lebanon, accusing Hezbollah of rearming.

The Paris conference next month is expected to focus on how to provide Lebanon’s army with the resources it needs to complete the disarmament plan. Observers say the success of the initiative will be crucial for Lebanon’s stability and for reducing tensions in the wider region.