U.S. Redirects Military Aid to Support Lebanon's Ceasefire Efforts

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The Biden administration has announced a significant shift in military aid, reallocating more than $100 million originally designated for Israel and Egypt to bolster the Lebanese government and its armed forces. This action, communicated to Congress on January 3, aims to support the Lebanese Army (LAF) in its vital role of maintaining a ceasefire established between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024 following an intense two-month conflict.

Of the total funds, $95 million will come from military assistance intended for Egypt, while $7.5 million will be reallocated from Israel. The reallocated funding is primarily intended to enhance the operational capacity of the LAF, particularly in southern Lebanon, where it will collaborate with UN peacekeepers to monitor the ceasefire along the Blue Line, the demarcation established after the 2006 conflict.

The State Department stated that effective implementation of the ceasefire is dependent on a well-equipped LAF, which is seen as the country’s only legitimate military force capable of maintaining stability against threats from both ISIS and Hezbollah, which has backing from Iran. Despite some critics alleging that Hezbollah influences the LAF, the U.S. government maintains that its support strengthens the LAF as a counterweight to militant groups.

Additionally, a further $15 million is being allocated to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces to improve law enforcement capabilities, including rebuilding police infrastructure. This restructuring reflects a strategic effort to stabilize Lebanon's security landscape in the wake of recent turmoil.

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