❗️Lebanese Army seeks $3 billion as international support remains tied to Hezbollah disarmament

The Lebanese Army has estimated that it needs approximately $3 billion over the short and medium term to expand its responsibilities across the country, including border control, counterterrorism, maritime security and assuming duties currently carried out by UNIFIL, according to a 21-page presentation prepared for an international conference.

The army's plan allocates around $1.09 billion for enhanced combat readiness, $654 million for critical capabilities, $364 million for salaries and incentives, $334 million for assuming responsibilities linked to UNIFIL's Maritime Task Force, $193 million for extending border control toward Syria and $150 million for border defense after UNIFIL's mandate ends.

The presentation also identifies "mission overstretch" as a problem, with the army currently reporting 75 percent readiness.

However, a French-led effort to secure international support has so far produced no significant financial commitment, according to Lebanese government and military sources cited by Middle East Eye.

A senior government source said "nothing actually happened" at a 17 September preparatory meeting in Paris, while another military source said the army received "nothing real."

The meeting comes as international governments pressure Lebanon to extend state authority and establish a "monopoly of arms," with assistance increasingly linked to the army's ability to address Hezbollah's weapons.