This is Beirut

Lebanon’s President Moves to Unveil Defense Strategy as Weapons Debate Reaches Critical Stage

This is Beirut, 17/02 15:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun is preparing to present a long-anticipated national defense strategy next month, a move that could reshape the country’s approach to sovereignty, military authority, and the future of weapons outside state control. According to information obtained by Al-Modon, the plan is now in its final drafting phase after ...

LAF Commander General Rodolphe Haykal Meets with Officials in Saudi Arabia

This is Beirut, 10/02 21:40 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Rodolphe Haykal Saudi Arabia LAF

General Rodolphe Haykal, commander of the LAF, met with officials in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday during the World Defense Show. The meeting occurred in preparation for the upcoming March 5 French-Saudi-led conference in Paris to garner support for the LAF. Haykal’s dialogue with Saudi officials was carried out to discuss avenues for ...

LAF Completes First Phase of Weapons Plan, Israel Deems Efforts “Insufficient”

This is Beirut, 08/01 08:50 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

Lebanese Army Israel Lebanon LAF Hezbollah

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced on Thursday the official end of the first phase of the weapons control plan, which aimed to bring all weapons south of the Litani River under state control by the end of 2025. According to the statement, the first phase focused on “expanding the Army’s operational presence, securing vital areas, ...

The Clock Ticks on Lebanon's Empty Promises

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, 2025-11-25 17:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah Israel LAF

One year on from Lebanon’s signing of the November 27, 2024 Cessation of Hostilities with Israel, Beirut’s agreement to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and disarm Hezbollah looks less like a commitment and more like theater. Lebanon has announced deadlines, staged symbolic troop deployments, and assured the world that Hezbollah’s ...

Washington Sends Warning with Cancellation of LAF Chief’s Trip

Amal Chmouny, 2025-11-20 23:55 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

Lebanon LAF United States Washington

Washington's abrupt cancellation of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) chief General Rodolphe Haykal's planned visit earlier this week signals deepening U.S. dissatisfaction with both Lebanon's approach to Hezbollah's disarmament and the LAF’s public stances on ongoing Israeli border incursions. Haykal, appointed to his post in March, was poised for ...

Why Normalization with Israel Will Revive Saudi Arabia

Hussain Abdul-Hussain, 2025-11-18 10:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Saudi Arabia Israel United States MBS Donald Trump Qatar LAF

Saudi Arabia is rapidly losing regional relevance, with Sunni rivals Qatar and Turkey encroaching on its traditional leadership roles. The Kingdom’s economy remains mired in second gear, unable to transition from oil dependency to a knowledge-based model. Riyadh’s repeated promises of financial windfalls to the U.S. now appear to be ...

LAF Soldiers “Led Into a Trap” in Zebqine Blast, Sources Say

This is Beirut, 2025-10-17 07:00 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon Hezbollah LAF

Six Lebanese soldiers were killed on August 9 in a powerful explosion in the Zebqine valley near Majdel Zoun, in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district. While initial reports pointed to an accidental explosion, a U.S. intelligence source said that contacts within the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) confirmed the unit “was led into a ...

UNIFIL Donates Vehicles to LAF to Bolster Southern Stability

This is Beirut, 2025-09-16 16:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon UNIFIL LAF Donation stability Security

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) donated on Tuesday more than 100 vehicles and pieces of equipment to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), aimed at reinforcing state authority and enhancing stability in southern Lebanon. At a ceremony held in Naqoura, UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara and ...

Army Conducts Search Operations in Syrian Displacement Camps

This is Beirut, 2025-06-24 12:43 - Reading : less than a minute

Lebanon LAF Syrians Camps Refugees

The Lebanese Army on Tuesday conducted raids across several camps housing displaced Syrians in the Hamoudiyeh area (Akkar), Taybeh (Baalbek), and Saaideh, west of Baalbek. Supported by regional intelligence services, army units carried out targeted searches for weapons, smuggled goods, individuals with irregular legal status, and persons who had ...

Lebanon: Army Retirees Demand Pension Hike, Threaten Protests

This is Beirut, 2025-04-22 13:45 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Lebanon Retired Personnel Lebanese Army LAF

In a press conference held Tuesday, retired Lebanese army personnel intensified their demands for immediate salary adjustments and improved living conditions, citing years of neglect and financial marginalization. They called on the government to act swiftly, warning of continued protests if their grievances remain unaddressed. The retirees ...

Lebanese Army Arrests 16 Individuals for Various Crimes

This is Beirut, 2025-04-21 13:35 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

Lebanon LAF Army Arrest Crime Syria

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) issued a statement on Monday detailing a series of arrests and security measures conducted by its Intelligence Directorate in different regions of Lebanon. In the Lailaki area, the LAF arrested a citizen (H.H.) implicated in numerous offenses, including kidnapping, theft, drug abuse, causing disturbances, shooting, ...

Hezbollah Supporters Stage Sit-In Near Beirut Airport, LAF Interferes

This Is Beirut, 2025-02-15 17:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Hezbollah BIA UNIFIL LAF

Hezbollah supporters gathered on Saturday afternoon on the Imam Khomeini Avenue, near the old airport road, in response to a public sit-in called for by the party at 4:00 PM. Hezbollah, who called for a peaceful gathering, stated that the demonstration was organized to “condemn Israeli interference, imposed conditions and the violation of ...