France and Jordan Join Forces to Prepare Support Conference for the Lebanese Army

France is set to host a high-level meeting this month with King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of an international conference dedicated to supporting the Lebanese army, according to a senior French official. The primary objective is to assist Lebanese security forces in disarming Hezbollah. The Iran-backed militia has refused to lay down its weapons amid ongoing hostilities with Israel, which currently occupies about seven per cent of Lebanese territory.

“A new initiative is being launched under the Aqaba Process, under the auspices of the King of Jordan. I hope it will take place in Paris on September 17,” stated Jean-Yves Le Drian, French President Emmanuel Macron's special envoy for Lebanon.

“Strengthening the army is crucial. You cannot ask the army to ensure Hezbollah gives up its weapons if it lacks the means to command respect,” Mr Le Drian emphasized during a panel on Lebanon at an event in Paris promoting French diplomacy, which was organized by the Foreign Ministry.

The Aqaba process is a regional security initiative launched in 2015 by King Abdullah II to enhance military and security cooperation. Media reports indicate that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is expected to attend the upcoming Paris meeting, alongside representatives from the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Initially, France had planned a conference to support the Lebanese army in March, but the event was postponed following the outbreak of the war involving Iran in late February. As a former colonial power in the region, France maintains close diplomatic ties with Lebanon. Paris is currently leading efforts alongside Italy to establish a support mission for the Lebanese army in anticipation of the scheduled December withdrawal of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon after nearly five decades of deployment. Concerns remain that the Lebanese army would be significantly weakened without international backing.

Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy and security chief, noted earlier this week that more than 10 EU states, including Ireland, have expressed interest in joining the mission, although the precise framework is still under discussion. French diplomatic sources told The National that France has spent months supporting the creation of an EU security and defence policy mission to strengthen the military capabilities of the Lebanese army, in coordination with local authorities.

“France is prepared to play a leading role in this mission, which is intended to form part of the international support architecture for Lebanon’s sovereignty following the scheduled departure of Unifil,” the sources stated.

Mr Le Drian expressed deep concern regarding Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon, noting that the Israeli government is unlikely to make concessions prior to elections scheduled for October. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has rejected US-brokered negotiations and seemingly strengthened its alliance with Iran. Mr Le Drian described Hezbollah's March 2 strike against Israel as a mistake that provoked a disproportionate Israeli response involving heavy bombing and ground incursions in south Lebanon, where numerous border villages have been destroyed.

Talks have currently stalled regarding Israel's expected withdrawal from pilot zones where the Lebanese army and Hezbollah were meant to deploy. Furthermore, Mr Le Drian highlighted that the recent conflict has derailed Lebanon's fragile recovery efforts, which had previously been hampered by a severe financial crisis and a 2024 Israeli bombing campaign that eliminated most of Hezbollah's mid- and high-ranking officials. The election of pro-western President Joseph Aoun in early 2025—a former army chief—had initially renewed hopes for Hezbollah's disarmament and essential governmental reforms.

“The fact that there were glimpses of possibility for the Lebanese people in the first half of 2025 leads me to believe that there is still strong hope for Lebanon,” Mr Le Drian remarked. “It is no longer the Titanic, but it is not yet saved.”