Lebanese army

Rai Hails President Aoun's National Vision for Building the State

Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai hailed President Joseph Aoun for strongly emphasizing the state’s “exclusivity of bearing arms, investing in the Lebanese Army and adopting positive neutrality.” In the inauguration address of the first Sunday sermon after Joseph Aoun’s election, Rai said that Aoun outlined a new national strategy based on ...

Lebanese Army Deploys in Several Border Villages

The Lebanese Army began deploying in several South Lebanon villages on Saturday, as an Israeli drone struck a car in the village of Kounine, in yet another violation of the ceasefire agreement, injuring two people. Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that the attack targeted suspected Hezbollah members who were spotted leaving ...

President Joseph Aoun’s Deep Connection to Southern Border Villages

Following the ceasefire and the deployment of the Lebanese Army in border villages, President Joseph Aoun was the first to visit Marjayoun, Klayaa and Khiam on December 23, 2024. At the time, he was still serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and was accompanied by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati. He is especially familiar with the ...

Southern Lebanon: Tensions Persist as Ceasefire Deadline Approaches

Following the election of Lebanon's new president, all eyes are now on the southern region, with only 16 days remaining until the expiration of the ceasefire agreement, which was enacted on November 27. Developments on the Ground Following airstrikes targeting southern Lebanese towns, the village of Aita al-Shaab was struck by artillery fire ...

Local and International Reactions to Joseph Aoun’s Election

Local and international political leaders have warmly welcomed the election of Lebanon’s new president, ending a two-year vacancy in the country’s highest office. On Thursday, General Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese Army's Commander-in-Chief, triumphed in the second round of voting, garnering 99 votes in a parliamentary session attended ...

Who is Lebanon's Long-Awaited 14th President Joseph Aoun?

When considering the implementation of a ceasefire—fragile at best—a devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel, the second-largest non-nuclear explosion in history, an unprecedented economic collapse, an unparalleled political paralysis, an attack by ISIS on Lebanese soil, all compounded by Lebanon's deeply rooted sectarian tensions, one ...

What About the Ceasefire?

The future of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel remains uncertain. Despite a flurry of diplomatic negotiations and recent statements by US Special Envoy Amos Hochstein calling for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, progress toward lasting calm remains minimal. Both sides continue to accuse each other of repeated ...

LAF Resumes its Deployment in the South

Following the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the Lebanese Army (LAF) announced Monday that its units had started deploying to take up positions in towns in the western and central sectors, including Ras al-Naqoura, Alma al-Shaab, Tayr Harfa-Tyre, Beit Liv-Tyre, and Beit Liv-Bint Jbeil. “While the deployment is being completed in Naqoura, ...

LAF Fifth Brigade Operations Observed by International Officials

The Chairman of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism, US Major General Jasper Jeffers, and French Brigadier General Guillaume Ponchin visited the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Fifth Brigade headquarters in southwest Lebanon on Tuesday, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Lebanon.  The visit is part of the LAF’s ...

Lebanese Army Deploys in Naqoura and Hamoul

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) deployed in Hamoul and Naqoura in the western sector of South Lebanon on Monday, establishing positions in three locations. The deployment followed the simultaneous withdrawal of the Israeli army from the western area, according to Israeli media. Earlier on Monday, the Municipality of Naqoura indicated that the ...

Hochstein: Israel Will Withdraw From All Lebanese Territories

US envoy to Lebanon Amos Hochstein announced on Monday the start of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Naqoura. Following his meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh and Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the Grand Serail, Hochstein reiterated Washington's support for the Lebanese army. “Israeli forces ...