Paris hosts Aqaba-track meeting on Lebanese army as UNIFIL mandate nears end

French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Jordanian King Abdullah II in Paris to shore up support for the Lebanese army ahead of UNIFIL's mandate expiry.

• The Aqaba Track meeting serves as preparation for a broader international conference on the Lebanese armed forces and internal security forces.
• Pascal Confavro said the gathering aims to assess Lebanon's security situation, let the armed forces present their needs, and coordinate partners' efforts.
• UN Security Council Resolution 2790 extended UNIFIL's mandate for the last time until 31 December 2026, after which a coordinated withdrawal would begin.
• Aoun called on Arab, European and US states to support the Lebanese army, particularly its deployment in the south, and reaffirmed the state's commitment to confining weapons to state institutions.
• The talks addressed regional escalation and the need for a comprehensive ceasefire covering Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem.
• The US and Israel have not signalled support for extending UNIFIL, prompting discussion of a new international mission for southern Lebanon.
• During the visit, Jordan's King Abdullah II announced the signing of a defense cooperation agreement with France.
• Jordan's King Abdullah II called the Lebanese army the pillar of Lebanon's security and stability, saying support for it is a collective responsibility.
• Abdullah announced another meeting would be held at the end of this year to review progress under the Aqaba initiative.
• Macron called the Lebanese Armed Forces indispensable for asserting Lebanese state authority across its entire territory.
• In a joint statement, Jordan and France rejected Israeli moves to annex the West Bank or displace Palestinians and backed a two-state solution.
• France condemned Iranian attacks on Jordan, and the two leaders called for an end to Israeli attacks on Syria.