UAE pledges $200 million to support Lebanon armed forces
The United Arab Emirates said on 7 April that it will give Lebanon's armed forces $200 million in aid to help 'stabilise' the country.
The foreign ministry said that $100 million would go to the army and $100 million to other state security services in Lebanon, which borders Syria.
The oil-rich Gulf country said its support was a 'continuation of efforts made for the stability and prosperity of [Lebanon's] people'.
The 'resilience and strength' of Lebanon's military and security institutions was a priority given the region's 'delicate circumstances', the statement said.
At a mid-March meeting in Rome, the international community pledged to help strengthen the Lebanese army.
France, in particular, said it would release a credit line of €400 million ($492 million).
On 6 March the international community announced it would provide more than $11 billion to modernise Lebanon's economy and strengthen its stability, threatened by regional crises, particularly the war in neighbouring Syria.
The loans and donations, announced at a conference in Paris aimed at supporting the Lebanese economy, are intended to help finance investment projects over the next five years.
Fears of an economic crisis have hovered over the Middle Eastern country since the crisis in Syria began more than seven years ago, pushing more than one million refugees to flee across the border into Lebanon.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons]()
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
-
![Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029]()
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
-
![What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?]()
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
![Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet]()
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
![UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens]()
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
