US Support for Lebanon’s Military and Internal Security
In a significant move to support Lebanon’s stability, the United States announced on Saturday an allocation of $117 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces(ISF). This decision came at the conclusion of an international donors’ meeting held online last
Thursday.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, these funds are intended to assist Lebanon’s military and internal security forces in “ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty across the entire country.” The meeting was organized by the U.S. State Department “with partners and allies to discuss the critical security assistance Lebanon needs to fully implement the cessation of
hostilities with Israel.”
Since November 27, a ceasefire brokered by France and the U.S. has been in place between
Hezbollah and Israel following a year-long confrontation. This ceasefire is overseen by a
committee which includes members from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, on Saturday, demanded that Israel withdraw from southern
Lebanon by January 26, adhering to the terms set forth in the ceasefire agreement. The
agreement stipulates that Israel must retreat from areas it entered in southern Lebanon by this
date.
Furthermore, the ceasefire agreement aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 from
2006, which mandates Hezbollah to move away from the borders, disarm all non-state armed
groups in Lebanon, and ensure that only legitimate security forces carry arms within the country.
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