Amid regional developments, Amman has stepped up a diplomatic effort led by King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to mobilize international backing for Lebanese state institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese Army. The initiative aims to forge a joint Arab, European and US position that would help preserve Lebanon’s territorial integrity, uphold its sovereignty across all its territory, halt Israeli attacks and enable the country’s political institutions to carry out their responsibilities. King’s Directives Senior Jordanian sources said King Abdullah had instructed the relevant institutions years ago, particularly the Jordan Armed Forces, to assist Lebanon by providing military, humanitarian and medical aid and to stand by the country in safeguarding its security and sovereignty. The policy helps explain part of the « unusually close » Jordanian-Lebanese relationship that has developed in recent years, according to the sources. The Jordanian monarch maintains close ties with Lebanese leaders at both official and public levels. He has met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on several formal and informal occasions, while the two leaders have held four telephone calls in recent months. Lebanese Army commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, who visited Amman on Aug. 30, also has a close relationship with his Jordanian counterpart, Maj. Gen. Yousef Ahmad Al-Huneiti, who left his post on Wednesday and was succeeded by Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis. Lebanese political and party figures have likewise continued to visit Amman and meet King Abdullah. Jordan earlier sent military assistance that included 62 armored personnel carriers to help strengthen the Lebanese military’s defensive capabilities and contribute to security and stability. King Abdullah also met Haykal in Amman late last month, while military sources said the kingdom was ready to meet the Lebanese Army’s needs in areas including administration and training. As part of its assistance to Lebanon, Jordan has dispatched 12 aid convoys since the beginning of 2026 in response to humanitarian conditions. In 2024, it also sent 14 aircraft loaded with medicines, medical supplies, essential goods and food. Over the past five years, Amman has delivered dozens of convoys carrying food, medicines, relief supplies and mobile homes. Following the devastating 2020 Beirut port explosion, Jordan deployed a fully equipped field hospital capable of handling emergency cases as well as major and minor surgeries. Jordanians also recall King Abdullah’s announcement during the 2006 war that the first Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft had arrived carrying army engineering teams to help reopen Beirut airport, breaking the wartime air blockade. Three aircraft carrying a field hospital and medical equipment followed, while a Jordanian relief air bridge continued throughout the July 2006 war. Jordan Rallies Support in Paris Political sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Jordan and France are working this month to bolster the Lebanese Army, with Amman seeking to bring Arab and foreign countries together in Paris after playing a key role in persuading the United States and other states to take part in the conference. The sources also reaffirmed that a special round of the “Aqaba Meetings” will be held in Paris on Sept. 17 to support the Lebanese military and enable it to perform its role as a sovereign institution capable of extending its control across all Lebanese territory. Jordan will take part in the meeting, which it will co-chair with France and Lebanon and which will bring together military commanders from several Arab and foreign countries. The Aqaba Meetings were launched by King Abdullah in 2015 to strengthen coordination, cooperation and the exchange of expertise among countries in addressing regional and international challenges. Previous rounds have been held in Jordan as well as Spain, Albania, Indonesia, Italy, Brazil, Bulgaria, Rwanda, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Norway, Nigeria, the Netherlands and the United States, in addition to meetings held at the United Nations in partnership with the kingdom.
