By Nohad Topalian | 2026-10-08

As Lebanon's economic foundation crumbles, its defenders face the harsh reality of survival, struggling to maintain their service and their families.

Warrant Officer First Class Roy Gerges counts the hours at his Mount Lebanon barracks, desperate to reach his second job.

His military salary has plummeted to a very low level, leaving him unable to afford basic staples like milk for his young child, he told Al-Fassel.

Since the economic crisis in 2019, Lebanon’s currency has lost 98 percent of its value, stripping soldiers of their purchasing power and their basic dignity.

Monthly paychecks once worth $800 have evaporated to a mere $50 or $80, forcing thousands of personnel into dejection.

The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) command faced an impossible choice: uphold military discipline or allow soldiers to survive the humanitarian catastrophe.

To survive, the leadership even removed chicken and meat from daily rations, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

International aid secures military stability

Confronting this total collapse, the United States spearheaded a vital international framework to ensure the Lebanese Army’s continued operational survival.

In a historic shift, the State Department and US Central Command (CENTCOM) bypassed traditional restrictions to allocate $72 million in 2023 for direct soldier stipends.

This initiative channeled through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) $100 monthly to over 70,000 members of the army and internal security forces.

Qatar bolstered these efforts with $60 million in emergency payments alongside vital shipments of diesel fuel and medical supplies.

"Despite military salaries losing 70 percent of their actual value, coordinated international aid keeps the Army operational," security expert and retired Brigadier General Saeed Kozah, told Al-Fassel.

These emergency funds effectively stabilized the ranks, allowing the military to maintain core field duties despite the ongoing financial ruin.

Bolstering sovereignty and operational readiness

Beyond cash, the US donated 47 Humvees and five trucks to enhance the military’s tactical capacity on September 29.

The US contribution bolsters the military establishment by significantly enhancing operational capabilities and improving critical unit readiness.

"This initiative underscores the unwavering confidence US authorities place in the army as the definitive guardian of Lebanon's security and stability," the Lebanese Army Command said in a statement.

By asserting control across all territory, the Army remains essential to disarming Hizbullah and various factions that undermine state authority, Kozah noted.

With the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate expiring soon, observers urge the international community to ramp up support for the Army's sustainable deployment.

Enhancing equipment, materiel and funding is critical to ensuring the effective extension of state authority across all Lebanese territory.

Success ultimately depends on Lebanon implementing genuine financial reforms to ensure these vital military gains endure well beyond current international aid.