Rome Conference boosts support for Lebanese army

The countries participating in the Rome Conference to support the Lebanese army affirmed their readiness to provide it with special technical support.

The Conference, which was held in the Italian capital Rome yesterday, stressed in its closing statement the importance of Lebanon’s efforts with the support of the international community to enhance the Lebanese armed forces’ capabilities and improve their abilities to carry out their duties.

The statement welcomed the “participation of 43 countries as well as international and regional bodies in the meeting” which represented a strong signal of the international community’s unity to support the sovereignty, stability and security of Lebanon. It also welcomed the additional international support offered in line with the capacity development plan presented by the United States, the Lebanese armed forces’ long term partner.

It pointed out that the United States intends to provide additional assistance, in the areas of counter-terrorism, border security and other relevant areas.

Participants expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s additional support to be implemented by the governments of the Riyadh, France and Lebanon, as well as the additional assistance to the Lebanese armed forces during the ministerial meeting. They welcomed the willingness of Turkey, Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain to provide training in several areas and to strengthen cooperation with the Lebanese forces in security-related sectors.

The statement called for more international support as a means of strengthening the Lebanese armed forces’ capacities to assume greater security responsibilities in southern Lebanon and in the Lebanese territorial waters.

The participants announced their full support for the Lebanese government in performing its duties during this transitional period and in accordance with the provisions of the constitution until a new president is elected and stressed on the importance of electing a new president as soon as possible to preserve security and stability in Lebanon.

The one day conference was co-sponsored by the Lebanese government and the United Nations.