Army aid entails tough terms for the south
The article discusses the Paris Conference in support of the Lebanese Army, which did not bring any new developments in fundraising and is considered a preparatory stage for future phases after the UNIFIL mission concludes. The main outcome of the conference was reaffirming the Lebanese Army's role as a fundamental institution in the upcoming period, along with planning for long-term external support to enable it to carry out its missions. There was an ongoing debate about the nature of this support and which party would assume responsibility after UNIFIL's withdrawal. Discussions also covered the possibility of establishing a new international mission with European approval, alongside continued EU support for Lebanon through military and civilian mechanisms. However, the government has not yet made a final decision on this matter. Additionally, disagreements persist over which authority would oversee the process—some parties prefer the continuation of the UN role, while others aim to transfer the management of the transition to the UN Security Council through a framework agreement. This agreement would link the Israeli army’s withdrawal from the south to the disarmament of Hezbollah and the government's control over the border area. Ultimately, support for the Lebanese Army remains contingent upon strict conditions, including significant security changes in the south. This raises questions about Lebanon’s capacity to refuse these conditions, especially since it continues to rely on its weakness as a means to strengthen its position.
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