U.S. Defense Official Visits Lebanon, Voices Commitment to Prevent Spillover of Syrian Crisis

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Dr. Matthew Spence paid a visit to Lebanon this week during which he highlighted his country's commitment to Lebanon, said the U.S. Embassy in a statement in Friday.

He expressed the United States' commitment to the “Lebanese army and preventing spillover from the Syrian conflict into Lebanon.”

He underscored the strength of the U.S.-Lebanese defense relationship and the United States’ support for Lebanon in the context of regional developments.

He also discussed with officials U.S. support for the Lebanese army through ongoing security cooperation programs. 

Spence held talks during his trip with various political and military leaders, including President Michel Suleiman, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, and Army Chief of Staff Major General Walid Salman.

U.S. assistance to the Lebanese army and Internal Security Forces, totaling more than $1 billion since 2005, strengthens the capacity of Lebanon’s security forces and supports their missions of securing Lebanon’s borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.