Lebanese and British troops concluded a joint drill Thursday, Oct. 22, built around a scenario to eliminate a terrorist group, with the Lebanese Army saying the exercise aimed to strengthen military capabilities and coordination.
The Army called PEGASUS CEDAR 2026 a three-week exercise. Its Oct. 5 announcement set Oct. 6 as the planned start, while an Oct. 8 update said training activities had begun that day. The closing announcement is dated Oct. 22, less than three weeks after either date; the Army did not explain the schedule.
Interim Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Hassan Audi attended the closing ceremony, the Army said. The British Embassy said the U.K. contingent was the Support Company of the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Dhekelia Garrison in Cyprus. It trained with the Lebanese Army’s Air Assault Regiment.
The Army’s closing notice and the British Embassy listed U.S. and Italian army personnel as participants, with France, Cyprus, Qatar and Jordan represented as observers. An earlier Army launch announcement listed France among participating forces, so the official accounts describe its role differently.
The National reported that the exercise took place at Hammana Barracks east of Beirut. It said Lebanese helicopters crossed a valley before placing Lebanese and British troops on a building roof for a simulated assault. The Army also said the exercise involved drones, helicopters and medium weapons.
The Army’s launch notice listed reconnaissance, raids, combat in built-up areas, helicopter-borne operations and mortar firing among the training activities. It said the PEGASUS CEDAR series has been held since 2023. The British Embassy called the September 2023 exercise the largest UK-Lebanese military training exercise of its kind and said the current drill aimed to strengthen defense ties and operational readiness. British Defence Attaché Lt. Col. Charles Smith said before the exercise that it was meant to build trust as well as practice tactics.
