High-Level Talks in Ain Al-Tineh
Nabih Berri, the speaker of the Lebanese parliament, met the UK’s Deputy National Security Adviser Barbara Woodward on Thursday at his headquarters in Ain Al-Tineh to discuss the latest political and security developments. The talks also covered bilateral relations between Lebanon and the UK, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The British ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, also attended the meeting.
UK Support for Lebanese Armed Forces
Britain has long supported the Lebanese Armed Forces through training, equipment, infrastructure, and border security assistance. According to the British government, the UK spent more than £115 million ($153 million) from 2009 to 2025 to support the Lebanese Armed Forces with infrastructure, vehicles, training, and equipment. Since 2013, it has also supported the establishment of land border regiments along Lebanon’s border with the Syrian Arab Republic. The relationship between Lebanon and the UK also includes economic and development ties.
Separate Meeting with UN Official
Separately, Berri received Jean Arnault, the acting head of the UN’s Special Coordinator’s Office for Lebanon, on a protocol visit. The meeting, which was also attended by Imran Riza, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon, included a review of recent developments and UN programs in the country.
Ongoing Conflict Worsens Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict in Lebanon has deepened an existing humanitarian crisis. Since early March, the Israeli army’s attacks on the south have razed entire villages, devastated critical infrastructure, displaced more than 1 million people, and killed at least 4,298, according to official figures.
