Pakistan, Lebanon eye closer military coordination amid regional instability

Pakistan's top military commander and Lebanon's army chief held talks on regional security developments and bilateral defence cooperation amid ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, an official statement said.

General Rodolphe Haykal, Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Anadolu Agency reports.

"During the meeting, both dignitaries exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional security environment, defence cooperation and prospects for enhancing bilateral military relations," Pakistan's military media wing said in a statement.

The statement added: "The discussions focused on strengthening professional interactions, training cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries."

The Lebanese Armed Forces had earlier announced that Haykal traveled to Pakistan at Munir's invitation.

The visit comes as Pakistan continues diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the US-Israeli war with Iran, while also supporting broader initiatives to preserve stability in Lebanon.

Munir reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding ties with Lebanon and underscored the Pakistani Army's commitment to expanding defense collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

According to the statement, Haykal praised the professionalism and operational capabilities of Pakistan's military and acknowledged its contributions to regional peace, stability, and international peacekeeping missions.

Lebanon has been heavily affected by Israeli military operations since March 2. Lebanese officials say the attacks have killed more than 3,600 people, injured over 11,000 others, and displaced more than 1.6 million residents.

Pakistan has long contributed troops to United Nations peacekeeping missions, including the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), where it has maintained a presence for decades.

Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that peacekeepers in southern Lebanon continue to observe extensive Israeli military activity and repeated violations of Lebanese airspace despite a ceasefire announced last week.

According to UNIFIL, peacekeepers documented 201 violations of Lebanese airspace by Israeli forces, including helicopters and fighter jets, amounting to nearly 288 hours of overflight time.

The mission also recorded more than 2,100 firing incidents originating from Israeli positions, including from areas south of the Blue Line and within UNIFIL's area of operations, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

By Vafa Guliyeva