France to host Lebanon army conference as Hezbollah pushes back on disarmament
The upcoming conference comes as the Lebanese army prepares to submit a plan for the second stage of its disarmament process, despite Hezbollah’s adamant refusal to give up its weapons.
BEIRUT — France will host an international conference in support of Lebanon’s army in March, the Lebanese presidency announced on Wednesday, as the military prepares to begin the second phase of a disarmament process despite Hezbollah’s continued refusal to relinquish its weapons.
What happened: The announcement came after a meeting at the presidential palace in Baabda between President Joseph Aoun, French presidential special envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian and Saudi adviser to the foreign minister on Lebanese affairs Prince Yazid bin Mohammed bin Fahd Al Farhan, as well as ambassadors from France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.
The Lebanese presidency said in a statement that during the meeting the diplomats discussed the preparations for the conference scheduled for March 5, which will be inaugurated by French President Emmanuel Macron.
They also agreed to make the necessary contacts to ensure the largest possible participation in the conference.
