Beirut: Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal met with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to discuss regional developments and the upcoming Paris conference aimed at supporting Lebanon's military. The meeting took place at Haykal's office northeast of Beirut and was attended by French Ambassador Herve Magro and a delegation accompanying Barrot, as reported by the Lebanese state media.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussion centered on the requirements to bolster the Lebanese army's capabilities, logistical needs, and preparations for the support conference scheduled for March 5 in Paris. The conference aims to gather international support for the Lebanese army and internal security forces, emphasizing Lebanon's plan to restrict weapons to the state in the aftermath of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) phase.

Barrot announced France's commitment to host the conference and mentioned collaborative efforts with the US, Saudi Arabia, and other partners to secure contributions for Lebanon. In August 2025, the UN Security Council extended UNIFIL's mandate for the last time, while Lebanon's government took steps to limit weapons to state control, including those held by Hezbollah.

Haykal is set to present a progress report on the weapons-control plan to Lebanon's Cabinet, detailing achievements in the first phase south of the Litani River and plans for the second phase north of the river. An Anadolu correspondent noted that the Lebanese army had faced challenges due to Israeli attacks and occupation, which have hindered the completion of the first phase.

Hezbollah maintains its stance on retaining weapons, calling for an end to Israeli actions in Lebanon. The 2024 ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel ended over a year of conflict, resulting in significant casualties. Despite the agreement, the Israeli army has only partially withdrawn from southern Lebanon, maintaining a presence at five border outposts.