Introduction
How is the Military in Lebanon and how does it work to maintain Sucity and fight terrorism? In terms of Military and security forces, we have the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces
Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Internal Security Forces (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), General Directorate for Public Security (border control, some domestic security duties) (2025).
Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of Internal Security Forces (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), General Directorate for Public Security (border control, some domestic security duties) (2025).
In Lebanon, the primary responsibilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are defense against external attack, border security, protecting the country’s territorial waters, and assisting with internal security and development projects
the LAF’s domestic security responsibilities include countering narcotics trafficking and smuggling, managing protests, conducting search and rescue, and intervening to prevent violence between rival political factions; in recent years, the military has faced a financial crisis as government debt and national economic difficulties have undercut its ability to train and fully pay and supply personnel; the UN, as well as individual countries such as France, Qatar, and the US have provided financial assistance
the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the southern part of the country since 1978; it has approximately 10,500 personnel assigned and includes a maritime task force; the terrorist group Hizballah maintains thousands of fighters and militia in Lebanon, primarily in the south (see Terrorist Organizations in References) (2025)
the LAF’s domestic security responsibilities include countering narcotics trafficking and smuggling, managing protests, conducting search and rescue, and intervening to prevent violence between rival political factions; in recent years, the military has faced a financial crisis as government debt and national economic difficulties have undercut its ability to train and fully pay and supply personnel; the UN, as well as individual countries such as France, Qatar, and the US have provided financial assistance
the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has operated in the southern part of the country since 1978; it has approximately 10,500 personnel assigned and includes a maritime task force; the terrorist group Hizballah maintains thousands of fighters and militia in Lebanon, primarily in the south (see Terrorist Organizations in References) (2025)
Security and military information of Lebanon
| Military and security service personnel strengths | approximately 70,000 active Lebanese Armed Forces (2025) |
|---|---|
| Military equipment inventories and acquisitions | the LAF's inventory is comprised of mostly older or secondhand equipment from an array of countries, such as France, Germany, Russia, and especially the US (2025) |
| Military service age and obligation | 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2026). |
| Military deployments | . |
| Military expenditures | |
| Military Expenditures 2022 | 2.9% of GDP (2022 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2021 | 3.2% of GDP (2021 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2020 | 3% of GDP (2020 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2019 | 4.7% of GDP (2019 est.) |
| Military Expenditures 2018 | 5.1% of GDP (2018 est.) |
Terrorism
In Lebanon, the different Terrorist group(s) inlcude: Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; Asbat al-Ansar; HAMAS; Hizballah; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Palestine Liberation Front (PLF); Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC)
All Important Facts about Lebanon
Want to know more about Lebanon? Check all different factbooks for Lebanon below.
