Cairo: Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty participated on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in the opening session of the 'Preparatory Meeting for the International Conference to Support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces,' scheduled to be held in Paris on March 5.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the meeting's agenda comprised three main working sessions. The first focused on reviewing the urgent operational needs of the Lebanese Army and ways to enhance its defensive capabilities. The second addressed the institutional and logistical requirements of the Internal Security Forces, while the final session concentrated on coordination mechanisms and the final arrangements for the Paris conference.
Abdelatty delivered an opening speech emphasizing that the broad international presence at the preparatory meeting conveys a strong message of solidarity with the Lebanese state. He highlighted the gathering's aim to assist Lebanon's national institutions, particularly the Army and Internal Security Forces, in strengthening state sovereignty and consolidating full control over the country.
The foreign minister stressed that the ultimate objective is to enable the Lebanese state to maintain a monopoly on weapons, in line with priorities set by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. He noted that Egypt's hosting of the meeting reflects the directives of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to provide full support to Lebanon and its national institutions.
In his remarks, Abdelatty reviewed tangible progress achieved by Lebanese institutions, praising the government's commitment to implementing the executive plan for restricting weapons issued in September 2025. He highlighted the success of the Lebanese Army in completing the first phase of the plan south of the Litani River within the scheduled timeframe, describing it as a testament to the Army's competence and a call for intensified international support to complete the remaining phases.
Abdelatty affirmed that supporting the Lebanese Army is direct support for the 'option of the state' amid ongoing regional challenges. He warned of continued Israeli violations, calling for a full and unconditional Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territories, including the five points occupied during its recent war. He stressed that such violations weaken the Army's ability to implement the weapon restriction plan and underscored the importance of fully adhering to the cessation of hostilities agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Participants at the meeting reiterated their full support for the efforts of the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces under current circumstances, committing to mobilize the necessary international financial and technical resources to enable Lebanon to extend its exclusive sovereignty over its entire territory.