During an official ceremony at the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) headquarters in Yarzeh, Beirut, Lebanon, in July 2025, the European Union announced a new 12.5 million euro project to support the LAF in leading recovery efforts in southern Lebanon.
The project, to be implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is aimed at enhancing security and helping communities rebuild.
“This project represents a critical milestone for the military institution, which bears immense responsibilities at the national level,” Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal said. “The army continues to exert tremendous efforts to uphold the authority of the state across all Lebanese territory, implement international resolutions — particularly Resolution 1701 — and safeguard the country’s security and monitor its borders.”
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 stipulates the establishment of a weapons-free zone between Lebanon’s southern border and the Litani River in southern Lebanon, with exceptions for the LAF and the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon. LAF, the ceasefire agreement stipulates, will deploy forces, and set roadblocks and checkpoints on all the roads and bridges along the line delineating the southern Litani area.
EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele said the project reflects the European Union’s unwavering commitment to Lebanon and to promoting peace and stability across the country.
“Together with EU Member States, we are providing over $600 million in support to conflict-affected areas in Lebanon, underscoring this commitment,” she said. “These efforts complement our diplomatic work to push for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and for all parties to abide by the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.”
The EU-financed project is part of the tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreed to in May 2025 by the Lebanese Ministry of Defense, the UNDP and the Office of the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon.
The MOU aims to coordinate international aid to the LAF with the help of several partners and donor countries, including the EU, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands and Spain.
In addition to defending the country’s independence and maintaining strong military partnerships with counterparts in partner countries, the LAF works with international security and humanitarian organizations to better serve Lebanon’s citizens.
Sources: United Nations Development Program, Lebanese Army