Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has told a political adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron that “moral support” alone for the Lebanese army is not enough, saying the force needs “equipment and military vehicles” to carry out its duties.

He told Anne-Claire Legendre that such support is expected at a conference France is organising, in collaboration with the US and Saudi Arabia, to shore up the cash-strapped military, according to a statement from the presidency.

A source briefed on the meeting said discussions focused on developing a clear communication strategy to show Lebanon’s progress on disarmament and provide the international community, including Gulf partners, with tangible data on the issue ahead of the conference.

It comes as Lebanon's government is under growing pressure to disarm Hezbollah, a weakened but still influential militia.

Mr Macron announced two conferences in support of Lebanon earlier this year but has not set dates for them.

During his meeting with the French adviser at Baabda Palace on Thursday, Mr Aoun criticised daily Israeli breaches of the ceasefire.

He said the attacks are the main obstacle preventing the Lebanese army from sending troops to the southern border, as required by the November 2024 agreement that was supposed to end 13 months of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Under the truce terms, Israel is required to halt airspace violations while Hezbollah is expected to begin disarming in stages.

Israel, accusing the Lebanese government of moving too slowly in implementing a September plan to disarm Hezbollah, has intensifie