Lebanese Sovereignty at Stake: British Forces Deployment Memorandum Under Review In his article today, Firas Shoufi sheds light on the intensifying debate within Lebanese institutions over a UK-proposed memorandum of understanding (MoU) that would authorize the deployment of British forces on Lebanese soil. According to the article, the MoU explicitly outlines the “responsibilities and general principles” for deploying British armed forces beyond training purposes. The UK initially justified this as a precautionary measure for evacuating citizens in case of war, citing past failures in Afghanistan and Sudan. However, official Lebanese sources confirm that the request predates the current conflict. Shoufi reveals that two versions of the MoU were received, one prior to October 7 and another in July, which raises further questions about the UK’s intentions.
The Lebanese Foreign Ministry flagged the draft as an infringement on sovereignty and is awaiting the Lebanese Army’s assessment. The author also notes the lack of clarity on the discussions that led to the draft MoU, which would grant Britain access to Lebanese infrastructure and the freedom to deploy troops, warships, and aircraft at will. He argues that instead of seeking military deployment in Lebanon, Britain should focus on applying diplomatic pressure on Israel to protect its citizens. Moreover, providing aid during crises does not require a formal memorandum. Signing this document, he warns, could set a dangerous precedent, likely opening the door for other nations to push for similar agreements and further compromising Lebanon’s sovereignty. Despite the seriousness of the issue and its long-term implications, Shoufi criticizes the Lebanese media for their conspicuous silence on the matter.
Full article by Firas Shoufi can be found in Arabic here: https://al-akhbar.com/Politics/386781/