US Allocates $117 Mln to for Lebanon

The United States announced a $117 million aid package for Lebanon's armed forces and internal security on Saturday, following an international donor meeting.

According to a statement from the US State Department, the funds are intended to help Lebanon's military and internal security forces maintain sovereignty over the entire country. The assistance comes amid ongoing challenges to Lebanon's stability and security.

The State Department also revealed it had organized an online donor meeting on Thursday with international partners and allies.

The discussions focused on the essential security needs of Lebanon, particularly in the context of implementing the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Since November 27, a US-French-brokered ceasefire has been in place between Hezbollah and Israel, ending a year-long conflict. A monitoring committee, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), oversees the agreement's implementation.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, the deadline for adhering to the ceasefire's terms.

The agreement mandates Israel's withdrawal from areas it entered in southern Lebanon and adherence to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.

This resolution, established in 2006, requires Hezbollah to stay away from border areas, disarm all non-state armed groups, and consolidate military authority under legitimate Lebanese state institutions.