PARIS, France: France hosted an international conference on Thursday aimed at rallying military and humanitarian aid for Lebanon as the country grapples with the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
The conflict has displaced around a million people, killed over 2,500, and worsened Lebanon’s already dire economic crisis.
France, a former colonial power with deep historical ties to Lebanon, seeks to coordinate international efforts to address Lebanon’s needs while restoring its sovereignty.
The war has further weakened Lebanon’s fragile state as Lebanon has been without a president for two years due to political gridlock, and its cash-strapped government is ill-equipped to handle the rising humanitarian demands.
Displacement has strained resources, with many seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters and neighboring Syria. Hospitals have also been evacuated due to the escalating violence.
At the conference, France aims to secure pledges to meet the UN’s $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian assistance. Additionally, there is a focus on strengthening Lebanon’s army, which is underfunded and lacks air defences, to potentially take a more significant role in securing the southern border.
The international community hopes that bolstering the Lebanese armed forces could lead to a resolution of the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron has taken a critical stance on Israel’s actions, calling for ceasefires and condemning the targeting of UN peacekeepers. The conference also seeks to support the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, UNIFIL, which may be expanded to enhance stability in the region.
France’s initiative underscores its pivotal role in coordinating international efforts to address both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the longer-term challenge of restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability.
