Lebanon too broke to pay soldiers enough

Beirut: Lebanon is unable to pay its soldiers enough, the army warned on Wednesday ahead of a UN-backed conference during which donors will seek to shore up one of the bankrupt country’s key institutions.

Unlike previous conferences designed to provide training, weapons or equipment for Lebanon’s armed forces, the virtual meeting hosted by France on Thursday aims to offer the kind of humanitarian assistance usually reserved for countries grappling with conflict or natural disaster. "We are in need of food parcels, healthcare assistance and support with soldiers’ pay," a military source told AFP on condition of anonymity.