Trump administration approves $230 million in security aid to Lebanon

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved $230 million in assistance to Lebanon’s security forces this week as part of ongoing efforts to disarm Hezbollah, sources in Washington and Beirut confirmed to Reuters.

A Lebanese official familiar with the decision said the package includes $190 million for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and $40 million for the Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Democratic congressional aides in the U.S. noted that the funds were released just before the end of Washington’s fiscal year on September 30. “For a small country like Lebanon, that’s really, really significant,” one aide said on condition of anonymity.

The release comes at a time when the Trump administration has been cutting many foreign assistance programs, citing a focus on “America First” priorities. However, the funding appears to reflect the administration’s emphasis on resolving conflicts in Gaza and the wider region.

A State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement that U.S. assistance is aimed at supporting Lebanese forces “as they work to assert Lebanese sovereignty across the country and fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, the only viable framework for a durable security arrangement for both Lebanese and Israelis.”

Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, ended the last major conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. A conflict that erupted a year ago has further battered Hezbollah and caused widespread destruction across Lebanon.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam requested on August 5 that the U.S.-backed army develop a plan to ensure all arms across the country would be held by security forces by the end of the year.

Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has consistently rejected disarmament calls since the last war with Israel. However, the group is now facing increasing pressure both from domestic rivals and from Washington.

According to the Lebanese source, the newly approved funds will enable the Internal Security Forces to assume internal security responsibilities, allowing the Lebanese Armed Forces to focus on other critical missions.

By Tamilla Hasanova