Spain pledges 10 million euros for Lebanon army

Spain pledges 10 million euros for Lebanon army
by AFP Staff Writers
Beirut, Lebanon (AFP) Jan 15, 2025
Spain's top diplomat announced Wednesday a EUR10 million aid package for Lebanon's army, in a boost for the armed forces who have a crucial role in implementing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

"This announcement of 10 million euros for the United Nations Development Programme" will contribute to "supplement the salaries of the Lebanese Armed Forces" as well as finance "solar panels and logistical aspects" of the army, Jose Manuel Albares said during a visit to Beirut.

Lebanon has struggled for years to finance its public institutions including the army following a 2019 economic crisis.

It now also faces the challenge of rebuilding the country after more than two months of war between Hezbollah and Israel that the group had initiated over the Gaza conflict and ended in November.

"Aid for... the reconstruction especially of south of Lebanon, will be necessary to stabilise the country," Albares told reporters after meeting Lebanon's new president, former army chief Joseph Aoun.

Spain has contributed more than 650 personnel to the UN peacekeeping force in the country's south (UNIFIL) with force chief Aroldo Lazaro hailing from Spain.

A committee composed of Israeli, Lebanese, French and US delegates, alongside a representative from UNIFIL, has been tasked with monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire deal.

On Wednesday, the US army official on the committee said the Israeli army was on a "very positive path" to withdraw from Lebanon's south ahead of the deadline for implementing the truce later this month.

Lebanese army "checkpoints and patrols operate effectively throughout south-west Lebanon, and the soldiers are dedicated to their mission as Lebanon's sole security guarantors," said Major General Jasper Jeffers during a visit to the checkpoints.

"We are on a very positive path to continue the withdrawal of the IDF as planned, and the LAF is providing for the security and stability of Lebanon," he added.

Under the November 27 ceasefire accord, the Lebanese army has 60 days to deploy alongside UN peacekeepers in the south of Lebanon as the Israeli army withdraws.

At the same time, Hezbollah is required to pull its forces north of the Litani River, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle any remaining military infrastructure it has in the country's south.