Support for the Lebanese state to hold the exclusive right to bear arms was the central focus of an international meeting in Cairo on Tuesday, aimed at bolstering the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF) ahead of a donor conference in Paris.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the “Preparatory Meeting for the International Conference in Support of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces” that the ultimate goal is to enable the Lebanese state to achieve “exclusivity of weapons” in the hands of its national institutions. He noted that these efforts align with priorities set by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The meeting, held in preparation for a high-level conference in Paris scheduled for March 5, was attended by Lebanese Army Commander General Rudolf Heykal and ISF Director General Major General Raed Abdallah. International participants included representatives from the “Quintet” committee—including Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi, French Presidential Envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian, and Saudi Envoy Prince Yazid bin Farhan—alongside senior officials from the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tamim Khallaf said the proceedings were divided into three sessions. The first addressed the urgent operational needs and defence capabilities of the LAF, while the second focused on the institutional and logistical requirements of the ISF. The final session was dedicated to coordination mechanisms and final arrangements for the upcoming Paris summit.
Abdelatty praised the Lebanese government’s progress in implementing a plan launched in September 2025 to centralise weapons under state control. He highlighted that the Lebanese army had successfully completed the first phase of this plan south of the Litani River within the designated timeframe.
“This achievement reflects the efficiency of the military institution and necessitates intensified international support to complete the remaining stages of the plan,” Abdelatty said, adding that supporting the army is a direct choice for the state over chaos.
However, the Foreign Minister warned that continued Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty weaken the army’s ability to implement the security plan. He demanded a “full and unconditional” Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territories, specifically citing five points occupied during the most recent conflict.
Abdelatty further called for the comprehensive and simultaneous implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 without selectivity.
The meeting also included representatives from the Military Coordination Cell (MTC4L)—comprising France, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain—as well as the Arab League, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), and the European External Action Service.
According to the Foreign Ministry, participants reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising the financial and technical resources necessary for the Lebanese state to extend its exclusive sovereignty over its entire territory.
