Lebanon today stands at a decisive crossroads in its history. The question is not only about political reform or economic recovery, but mainly about who controls weapons and who protects the country. The sole answer is: The Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces.
Cairo has recently hosted a major preparatory meeting in support for the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, which marked a political and security milestone in the lead-up to an anticipated international conference due in Paris on March 5.
The Paris conference, expected to attended by numerous and organisations, will be co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. It is expected to constitute another milestone in rallying support for the country
The Cairo meeting seemed to send a strong message of solidarity with the state in Lebanon, backing the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces, to consolidate their sovereignty and fully extend their authority over all Lebanese territories, said Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati.
The ultimate objective is to enable the state to achieve the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the state, in line with the priorities set by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, he added.
Participants reiterated full support for the efforts of the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces under the current circumstances. They confirmed commitment to mobilising the necessary international support to provide the financial and technical resources that will enable the Lebanese state to extend its exclusive sovereignty over all its territory.
Achieving stability requires ensuring that weapons remain exclusively in the hands of the state, which is basic for a sovereign country. This principle is essential for restoring sovereignty, stability, and public trust.
A Gallup survey showed in December broad public support for allowing only the state’s military to have weapons. Nearly four in five Lebanese (79 er cent) say only the Lebanese army should be allowed to maintain weapons in the country.
For the past 50 years, the Lebanese Armed Forces have operated alongside non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. However, the latter group’s military capability has been greatly reduced after its recent war with Israel, Gallup wrote as it announced the results of the survey which was conducted via in-person interviews in Lebanon in June and July, 2025.
Today, the international community appears more united in its belief that empowering Lebanon’s official institutions is the only sustainable path forward. Financial aid, technical support, and logistical assistance are expected to be mobilised not to reinforce the state.
Egypt’s foreign minister put it as forceful and as clear as ever, when he said that backing the Lebanese Army is a direct support for the option of a state in the face of chaos
Yet, external threats remain a serious concern, as the Israeli violations of Lebanese territory, airspace, and waters continue to undermine stability and increase tensions.
Reports cited Lebanese officials as saying that Israel sent an indirect message to Lebanon that it would strike the country “hard”, targeting civilian infrastructure, including the airport, if Hezbollah gets involved in any US-Iran war.
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi was quoted as saying the country feared Israeli strikes could hit its infrastructure if the situation with Iran escalates.
Therefore, the international support for Lebanon therefore carries a legal and political dimension. Calls for Israel to respect international law and fully implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 reflect the understanding that Lebanese sovereignty must be respected from outside as well as within.
Egypt’s role is essential in this respect. By hosting the preparatory meeting in Cairo, the country has positioned itself as a key supporter of Lebanon’s state institutions. The message is clear: backing the army is supporting Lebanon itself.
No doubt, the upcoming Paris conference will be a critical test of international commitment. Financial pledges and technical assistance can help strengthen the Lebanese Army, but success ultimately depends on political will inside Lebanon itself.
The path forward is clear for Lebanon. A strong army means a stronger state, which in turn means a more secure and stable Lebanon.
