Photo credit: Arab News
Lebanon is preparing political and military conditions to ensure the success of an upcoming visit by Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal to the United States. consolidate stability at home, and pave the way for a Paris conference in March to support the Lebanese Armed Forces.
Asharq Al-Awsat reports that the effort includes coordinated steps, beginning with setting a date for the army to present its vision to the government for implementing the second phase of the “exclusive state control of weapons” plan, alongside intensified international contacts to reactivate the work o0f the ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
Lebanese sources said the success of the Paris conference depends on US backing, while Washington is awaiting the army’s proposed approach for launching the second phase of the weapons plan.
Political and military initiatives aim to unlock multiple obstacles simultaneously, strengthen stability, and enable the army to carry out its government-mandated tasks.
The Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Friday at Baabda Palace under President Joseph Aoun. A key agenda item is the army’s plan for deployment and operations north of the Litani River, which Haykal is expected to present in detail.
Official sources said the plan will define geographic scope, types of weapons, implementation tools, and timelines, and will be reviewed pending approval by relevant parties, an implicit reference to US and Israeli consent.
They noted that exclusive state control of weapons is a government commitment, and that Hezbollah, as part of the government, is expected to adhere to the plan.
