Qatar has granted an additional $20 million to the Lebanese army, bolstering support for the troops as regional tensions continue to rise.
On Monday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported that the Lebanese army has received a new $20 million aid package from Qatar. This funding arrives at a critical moment as the Lebanese army navigates ongoing economic challenges and heightened regional tensions, particularly along Lebanon’s southern border, where exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and the armed group Hezbollah have been escalating amid the conflict in Gaza.
Though the Lebanese army is not directly engaged in the hostilities, the conflict has impacted Lebanon, including the death of a Lebanese soldier due to Israeli shelling in December.
According to a security source quoted by Reuters, the latest Qatari aid extends a previous $60 million package announced in 2022. This earlier package was distributed in installments to support soldier salaries, with the new funds allocated to continue this assistance. The source specified that $100 from the aid will be distributed to each soldier monthly, offering some relief amid Lebanon’s severe economic crisis.
Lebanon’s prolonged economic collapse has drastically devalued the Lebanese pound against the US dollar, reducing the monthly wages of many soldiers to under $100. This sum is insufficient to cover basic living costs, including essential services such as generator subscriptions to compensate for the extensive daily electricity cuts.
The economic downturn has forced many troops to seek additional employment or leave the military altogether. This situation has raised concerns about the stability of the Lebanese army, a key national institution that has historically fostered unity across Lebanon’s diverse sectarian communities.
The infusion of Qatari funds is seen as a vital lifeline for maintaining the army’s operational capacity and morale. However, the long-term sustainability of such support remains uncertain as Lebanon continues to grapple with its deep economic and political crises.
