US augments Lebanon security with over $200m
The United States has approved nearly $250 million in new assistance for Lebanon’s security forces, underscoring Washington’s efforts to strengthen state institutions against Hezbollah’s growing influence.
According to sources familiar with the allocation, $192 million will go to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and $54 million to the Internal Security Forces (ISF). Reuters, citing Democratic congressional aides, reported a slightly different split, $190 million for the LAF and $40 million for the ISF. The package follows a $14.2 million presidential drawdown for the LAF in August, Alarabiya News reports.
“For a small country like Lebanon, that’s really, really significant,” one aide stated.
The U.S. remains one of Lebanon’s main international backers, aiming to bolster its official security institutions in the fight against terrorism and reduce Hezbollah’s sway.
President Joseph Aoun pressed for more support in talks with U.S. Central Command Chief Adm. Brad Cooper during the UN General Assembly last week, emphasising the need to extend state authority nationwide.
The funding announcement came as Hezbollah openly defied a government ban on public commemorations of its slain leader Hassan Nasrallah, projecting his image onto Beirut’s Raouche landmark. The move highlighted the state’s limited capacity to enforce its decisions, a concern raised by Arab and Western diplomats.
The Pentagon has said the latest package will help the LAF implement last year’s ceasefire with Israel and counter Iranian-backed groups.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
