France has committed to providing a $108 million aid package to Lebanon during an international conference held Thursday.
President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the urgent need for “massive aid” to support the war-torn nation.
The conflict between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced over a million people, claimed more than 2,500 lives, and worsened Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis.
Macron Calls for Ceasefire, Condemns Civilian Casualties
In his opening remarks, Macron stressed the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to both displaced individuals and the communities hosting them.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, left, Oct. 23, 2024 at the Elysee Palace in Paris. On Thursday, France pledged $108 million aid package to support Lebanon.
Louise Delmotte/AP Photo
“In the immediate term, massive aid is needed for the Lebanese population, both for the hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the war and for the communities hosting them,” he said.
France’s commitment aims to contribute to the $426 million in humanitarian aid that the United Nations says is urgently required. Italy has pledged an additional $10.8 million, while Germany committed $64.7 million to Lebanon this week.
Macron condemned Israel for continuing its military operations, stating, “in the South, in Beirut, elsewhere, the number of civilian victims continues to rise,” and once again called for a ceasefire.
France Pushes for Strengthened Lebanese Institutions
The conference also aims to help restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and fortify its institutions. Lebanon has been without a president for two years, with Hezbollah acting as a state within a state. Political factions have yet to agree on a new leader, leaving the country in a state of political paralysis.
Adulkader Kurdi, who fled the ongoing Hezbollah-Israel war in south Lebanon, lies on a mattress inside one of Beirut’s oldest and best known movie theaters, Le Colisee, in Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 22, 2024. So far, the war has displaced a million people and killed over 2,500.
Hussein Malla/AP Photo
Despite criticism of Macron’s evolving diplomatic stance, France’s deep historical ties with Lebanon and its strong influence in the region allow Paris to play a key role in addressing the crisis.
Middle East expert Rym Montaz noted, “The French are trying to make sure that international donors get to hear firsthand from the actors on the ground in Lebanon who can best describe the most immediate needs caused by the Israeli aggression.”
Strengthening Lebanon’s Military and Peacekeeping Efforts
France is also focused on coordinating international support to bolster Lebanon’s military capabilities, particularly in the south, as part of a potential peace deal. The conflict has exposed the Lebanese army’s limitations, with its aging arsenal and lack of air defenses making it difficult to counter Israeli incursions or challenge Hezbollah’s military dominance.
Smoke billows from the southern Lebanese border village of Kfar Kila, following Israeli airstrikes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on Oct. 23, 2024. On Thursday, the Paris conference will seek to help restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and strengthen its institutions.
AP Photo
Lebanon’s army, with approximately 80,000 troops, faces a well-armed Hezbollah force of over 100,000 fighters.
International support could include equipment, training, and financial aid to help Lebanon’s forces deploy more broadly and efficiently in a potential deal that may involve Hezbollah withdrawing from the border.
The conference also aims to strengthen the United Nations peacekeeping force, UNIFIL, which has 10,500 soldiers, including significant contributions from European nations including France, Italy, and Spain. Italy, with over 1,000 troops deployed, is pushing for an enhanced peacekeeping mission to handle the evolving conflict.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
