The United States has approved $230 million in security assistance for Lebanon, signalling renewed support for the country’s armed forces as Washington backs efforts to disarm Hezbollah and stabilize the conflict-stricken nation, sources in Washington and Beirut confirmed this week.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the funding package includes $190 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and $40 million for the Internal Security Forces (ISF). The funds were released just before the close of the U.S. fiscal year on September 30, congressional aides said. “For a small country like Lebanon, that’s really significant,” one aide commented, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The move comes despite the Trump administration’s broader cuts to foreign aid programs, as part of its “America First” policy. Analysts say the decision underscores Washington’s strategic focus on containing regional instability and resolving the Gaza conflict, as well as maintaining leverage in the Middle East power balance.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed the aid in a written statement, emphasizing that U.S. assistance aims to strengthen Lebanese sovereignty and ensure implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which was adopted in August 2006 to end the last major conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The resolution remains the only internationally recognized framework for long-term security along Lebanon’s southern border.
Lebanon’s leadership, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, recently urged the LAF to create a plan ensuring that all arms in the country are placed under state control by the end of this year. This follows more than a year of renewed hostilities with Israel that have severely weakened Hezbollah and devastated parts of Lebanon.
Despite mounting international and domestic pressure, Hezbollah has resisted calls to disarm, maintaining its role as an Iranian-backed militia and political force. However, U.S. officials believe that targeted aid to Lebanon’s formal institutions particularly the ISF, which will assume responsibility for internal security operations could enable the LAF to focus on border defence and counter-terrorism efforts.
The funding represents one of the largest U.S. security commitments to Lebanon in recent years, signalling Washington’s intent to support state sovereignty and reduce Iran’s influence in the region.
