President Joseph Aoun announced that the Lebanese Army (LAF) will soon have 10,000 troops deployed south of the Litani River as part of the government’s efforts to reinforce state authority and comply with United Nations Resolution 1701. The announcement was made on Saturday during a meeting with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
“There will be no armed force other than the Lebanese Army and Lebanese security forces, in addition to UNIFIL,” the president said.
President Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, calling on the international community – particularly the UK – to support the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission’s mandate. He stressed that UNIFIL’s presence remains essential given the current instability across Lebanon and the broader region.
During the meeting, Aoun criticized Israel’s continued occupation of five hilltops in southern Lebanon, despite a US- and French-brokered agreement reached last November that called for Israeli withdrawal. “These hills have no strategic military value,” he noted, “yet their occupation prevents the establishment of lasting security and stability.”
Aoun also highlighted additional destabilizing factors, including Israel’s failure to return Lebanese detainees and its recurring strikes on southern Lebanon. These actions, he said, “make it difficult for the state to fully impose its authority and enforce its decisions – especially the monopoly on the use of force.”
The Lebanese president called on the UK and other international partners to pressure Israel into compliance with Resolution 1701 and to provide guarantees against future aggression.
President Aoun thanked the UK for its ongoing military assistance, notably the building and equipping of surveillance towers along Lebanon’s borders. “We welcome any form of support that helps stabilize our southern front and enhances the LAF’s coordination with international peacekeepers,” he stated.
On the domestic front, Aoun briefed Lammy on the government’s reform agenda, describing it as a national priority. “These reforms are vital to restoring confidence in Lebanon’s financial system and economy,” he said.
For his part, Foreign Secretary Lammy reaffirmed the UK’s strong bilateral ties with Lebanon and pledged continued support across various sectors, particularly in defense. He praised Lebanon’s efforts toward reform and emphasized London’s close monitoring of developments since Aoun’s election.
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