Exclusive: Lebanon seeks $9bn boost for army ahead of Paris summit

Lebanon has outlined more than $9 billion in military and security funding needs during a high-level preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of a major international donor conference in Paris, as Arab and Western states signalled support for strengthening the Lebanese army and consolidating state control over weapons.

The Cairo meeting, held on Tuesday, was the sole official preparatory session for the 5 March Paris conference aimed at reinforcing Lebanon's Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF).

It brought together representatives from Egypt, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and the United States, known as the Quintet group, along with European, UN and diplomatic officials.

The New Arab has obtained exclusive details of the reports presented by the Lebanese army and ISF, which outlined operational, financial and logistical needs as Beirut pushes forward with a plan to centralise weapons under state authority.

Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal has estimated the military's long-term requirements at more than $9 billion, with immediate short-term needs of approximately $3 billion.

The short-term package includes boosting combat readiness, reinforcing border control, expanding oversight along the Lebanese-Syrian frontier, enhancing counter-drone capabilities, upgrading strategic communications and digital infrastructure, strengthening medical services, and supporting salaries and incentives for personnel.

A significant element involves preparing the army to gradually assume maritime responsibilities currently carried out by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) before its mandate ends in late 2026.

According to the information obtained, restoring military salaries to pre-2019 levels, before Lebanon's financial collapse, would alone require more than $800 million annually.

The ISF separately estimated its needs at roughly $1.5 billion, to be implemented in three phases, with the first urgent phase requiring about $350 million.

Sources familiar with the meeting said the ISF's presentation was well received, while Egyptian and French officials pressed the army for clearer prioritisation of urgent needs. Haykal reiterated that at least $3 billion in essential support must be secured immediately.

The Cairo talks underscored growing Arab and international consensus around empowering Lebanon's state institutions as the primary guarantor of stability, rather than relying on direct external intervention.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed that the ultimate goal is enabling the Lebanese state to exercise exclusive control over weapons across its territory, which involves the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Diplomatic sources indicated that continued financial support would likely be tied to measurable progress in implementing this plan. Should reforms stall, assistance could fall short of Lebanon’s expectations.

Lebanon is placing significant hopes on the Paris conference, viewing it as crucial to advancing the army's arms monopoly plan and consolidating deployment in southern Lebanon. France is leading efforts to mobilise international backing ahead of the summit.

At the same time, Arab officials called for Israel to respect international law and halt daily attacks on Lebanon, warning that continued violations undermine the army's ability to stabilise the south.

European Union representatives signalled their intention to pledge $100 million to support the Lebanese army at the Paris conference - the only specific public figure to emerge from the Cairo meeting.

On Friday, President Joseph Aoun chaired a security meeting at Baabda Palace to review the Cairo outcomes and preparations for Paris.

He also met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss security developments, particularly in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, amid ongoing Israeli attacks.

Official Lebanese sources told The New Arab that the Paris conference was considered "essential" to completing the next phase of the army’s deployment plan, including expanding state control north of the Litani River within four to eight months.

However, the sources warned that continued Israeli strikes, including incidents affecting the Lebanese army, keep stability fragile and complicate the implementation of the plan.

Lebanon is also intensifying diplomatic efforts to avoid broader regional escalation, amid concerns that a wider confrontation involving Iran could draw the country into renewed conflict.