Lebanese Army Chief Visits Qatar to Strengthen Military Ties, Insha'Allah
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. General Rodolphe Haykal, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, is currently on a two-day official visit to Qatar. The purpose of this visit is to enhance the cooperation between the Lebanese and Qatari military forces, as announced by the Lebanese army.
Upon arrival, General Haykal was warmly received with an official ceremony at the Qatari Defence Ministry in Doha. He then met with Lieutenant General Jassim Al Mannai, the Qatari chief of staff, where they discussed ways to strengthen military collaboration and support Lebanon’s armed forces during these challenging times the country is facing.
General Haykal also had a meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. Sheikh Mohammed reassured Qatar’s ongoing support towards the Lebanese army and other governmental institutions. General Haykal expressed his sincere gratitude for Qatar’s unwavering and unconditional support to Lebanon.
Qatar has been a vital ally to Lebanon’s army and has supported President Joseph Aoun’s government since he took office in January. Improving ties with Gulf countries has been a priority for President Aoun. During his visit to Qatar in April, he met with Emir Sheikh Tamim, after which Qatar pledged 162 military vehicles and a $60 million donation to assist in paying Lebanese army salaries.
A Lebanese military source mentioned, "Qatar is among the leading nations supporting President Aoun and the Lebanese military, strengthening it in the face of Hezbollah." Recently, General Haykal presented the army’s initial report on efforts to disarm Hezbollah, following the cabinet’s approval of the plan. He updated the cabinet in a lengthy meeting, where ministers received the plan positively.
The Lebanese Armed Forces are currently implementing the first phase of this plan, which involves dismantling all Hezbollah weapons and sites south of the Litani River within three months. This is despite the withdrawal of all Shiite ministers from the cabinet meeting. Future phases will follow after this initial step.
Discussions in Qatar also covered the Lebanese army’s efforts to maintain peace and stability throughout Lebanon, including operations in southern areas and cooperation with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Additionally, it was reported that the US administration has approved $230 million in support for Lebanon’s security forces, with $190 million allocated to the Lebanese Armed Forces and $40 million to the Internal Security Forces, insha’Allah.
The Lebanese army faces great pressure to remove Hezbollah’s remaining military presence. The US has made clear that economic aid depends on progress toward disarmament. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to halt Israeli strikes on Lebanese targets to allow Lebanon to proceed with its security plans.
Lebanon urgently needs support from the Arab world and the international community to rebuild its economy and recover from the conflict that ended last November. However, Israeli military actions continue almost daily, and control remains over some strategic positions along the southern border inside Lebanon. Hezbollah insists it will not disarm as long as Israeli forces remain in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of defending the country.
May Allah (SWT) grant peace, security, and stability to Lebanon and the entire region. Ameen.
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