The U.S. has approved $230 million in aid for Lebanon’s armed and internal security forces, aiming to strengthen state control as pressure mounts on Hezbollah to disarm.

Of the total, $190 million is allocated to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and $40 million to the Internal Security Forces. Democratic congressional aides noted the timing of the release, just before the U.S. fiscal year ended on 30 September, highlighting the significance of the aid for a small country such as Lebanon.

The funding comes amid a year-long conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has left large areas of Lebanon in ruins and increased international pressure on the Iran-backed group to surrender its weapons.

President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam asked the U.S.-backed army in August to prepare a plan for ensuring all arms are held by security forces by year-end.

The Lebanese source said the aid will allow the Internal Security Forces to focus on internal security while the LAF tackles other critical missions.

Hezbollah has so far rejected calls to disarm, but faces growing pressure both domestically and internationally.

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