Egypt on Tuesday called on the international community to step up support for Lebanon’s armed forces as the country advances a plan to disarm Hezbollah and bring all weapons under state control.
Addressing a preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of next month’s Paris conference on backing the Lebanese army, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty commended “the success of the Lebanese army in completing the first phase of the plan.”
“This milestone demonstrates the effectiveness of the military institution and underscores the need for increased international assistance to complete the remaining phases,” Abdelatty said. Lebanon’s government committed last year to disarming Hezbollah, which suffered major losses in a recent conflict with Israel, and tasked the army with drafting a detailed implementation plan.
Despite shortages in equipment, personnel, and technical capabilities, the Lebanese military has begun dismantling Hezbollah facilities and tunnels and seizing weapons. In January, it declared the first phase complete, focusing on areas south of the Litani River, roughly 30 kilometres north of Israel. The army now plans to address the northern section of the river in the second phase, which it estimates will take at least four months to complete.
Abdelatty noted that Tuesday’s meeting aimed “to enable the Lebanese state to ensure that all weapons are held exclusively by the state.” Lebanon’s top security officials attended, including Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal and Internal Security Forces Director-General Major General Raed Abdallah.
Representatives from the Quintet Committee on Lebanon were also present, including Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Arabia’s envoy to Beirut Prince Yazid bin Farhan, and senior officials from the United States.
In a separate meeting with Le Drian, Abdelatty highlighted the need for a comprehensive international approach to Lebanon’s crisis. He stressed that stability would require “Israel to immediately halt its aggression” and “fully withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories.”
Israel, alleging that Hezbollah is rebuilding its arsenal, has condemned the army’s efforts as insufficient and has carried out sporadic attacks in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire in November 2024 meant to conclude over a year of conflict with the group.