Paris: Senior officials from France, Saudi Arabia, and the United States convened with Lebanon’s top army commander in Paris on Thursday, marking an intensified diplomatic push to craft a roadmap for disarming Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-aligned militia that has long stood outside state control. The talks come nearly a year after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire ended prolonged hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, but concerns persist that peace could unravel without decisive steps toward reducing the group’s military presence.
The Paris discussions focused on finalizing a structured mechanism to support and verify Hezbollah’s disarmament, with diplomats describing the effort as crucial to reinforcing the existing ceasefire and preventing further escalation along the Israel–Lebanon frontier. Israeli strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and other areas have raised tensions even as negotiators seek ways to build confidence among all parties.
Officials in Paris emphasized the need for clear documentation of Lebanese Army efforts to disarm Hezbollah’s arsenal. In this context, representatives discussed bolstering the ceasefire mechanism through involvement from French, U.S., and potentially United Nations military experts, reinforcing both monitoring and support capacities. Such enhanced verification measures are seen as essential to dissuade unilateral actions and preserve the fragile calm.
A planned conference in early 2026 aims to further strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces viewed by participants as central to implementing any disarmament plan — and develop strategies for reconstruction in southern Lebanon, where years of conflict have left widespread damage.
Despite diplomatic momentum, officials acknowledged significant political obstacles that could stymie progress. With Lebanon’s legislative elections scheduled for 2026, there is concern that internal political paralysis and shifting alliances will dampen President Joseph Aoun’s willingness to publicly champion disarmament measures — particularly given the divisive nature of Hezbollah’s role in Lebanese society. A senior diplomat described the situation as “extremely precarious,” warning that longstanding mistrust and structural challenges leave the region vulnerable to renewed conflict.
Lebanon’s army, still rebuilding its capacity after years of internal turmoil, lacks the full capability to oversee a comprehensive disarmament of Hezbollah on its own a reality that has underscored the need for international support and sustained engagement.
The urgency of the talks was underscored by continued Israeli military strikes reported in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley as negotiations unfolded. The Israeli Army said these operations targeted Hezbollah infrastructure, including training sites and weapons storage, asserting violations of ceasefire understandings and citing ongoing threats to Israeli security. Lebanese political figures, including the speaker allied with Hezbollah’s Amal Movement, interpreted the strikes as a message intended to influence the Paris negotiations.
The diplomatic initiative highlights the complex interplay between security imperatives and political realities in the Middle East. While the ceasefire agreed in 2024 dramatically reduced large-scale fighting, unresolved issues around armed militias and state sovereignty continue to cloud prospects for lasting peace. The Paris talks represent a concerted effort by Western and Gulf partners to channel diplomatic energy into a credible, monitored disarmament process, hoping to stabilize Lebanon and reduce the risk of future flare-ups.
As the roadmap takes shape, global attention will be on how Lebanon’s political leaders navigate competing pressures at home and abroad, and whether international backing can help translate diplomatic plans into tangible security gains on the ground.