Lebanon and Britain Launch Three-Week Joint Military Exercises with France, US, and Italy

Lebanon’s army is set to conduct a three-week joint military exercise with British forces starting Tuesday, with participation from France, Italy, the United States, and other allies, official statements confirmed.

The exercise, named “Pegasus Cedar 2026,” aims to strengthen the capabilities of Lebanese military units and enhance coordination among regional partners. Activities will include reconnaissance training, urban combat simulations, and air assault operations.

British soldiers stationed in Cyprus will deploy to join their Lebanese counterparts in the Air Assault Regiment, marking a significant step in bilateral defense collaboration. Observers from the armies of France, Cyprus, Qatar, and Jordan will also attend the drills.

Since 2023, the UK has supported Lebanon’s military through training programs aimed at securing land borders and improving operational readiness. The current exercise follows a similar UK-Lebanon training initiative held in September 2023.

Lebanese authorities have repeatedly requested increased foreign aid to bolster the 80,000-strong national army, which faces mounting pressures. These include deploying to southern Lebanon under a June agreement with Israel, which mandates Hezbollah disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal.

The region remains unstable following Hezbollah’s March attack on Israel, triggering a broader conflict that culminated in Israeli airstrikes and ground incursions. While violence has subsided since June, Israeli occupation forces continue to operate within a 10-kilometer security zone in southern Lebanon.

The military collaboration underscores international efforts to stabilize Lebanon amid ongoing regional tensions and provide critical support to its under-resourced armed forces.

(with AFP)

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