U.S. Abides by Decision to Freeze Military Assistance to Lebanon as U.S. Embassy Denies
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji’s visit to Washington did not result in any change in the United States decision to halt military assistance to the Lebanese army, As Safir newspaper reported on Friday.
The relations between the U.S. and Lebanese army “are strong and we support the funding of the aid program to the Lebanese army,” a source in at the State Department told the daily.
However, sources remarked that during a meeting between deputy Secretary of State William Burns, assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Qahwaji, the U.S. officials stressed on the message conveyed by U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly.
Earlier this month, Connelly told Lebanese officials that the Obama administration expects from Lebanon to protect members of Syria's opposition living in the country and committing to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.
U.S. sources told As Safir that the two sides understand the nature of this matter.
Qahwaji held meetings with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and with central Command Chief General James Mattis.
The sources noted that the meetings between Qahwaji and the U.S. military command were “amicable.”
Meanwhile, a U.S. Embassy source denied allegations of a freeze in assistance, stressing that ties between the Lebanese and U.S. armies have not changed throughout the year.
“There has been no change to our bilateral military ties since January and there has been no freeze in military assistance,” the source told Naharnet.
“We have a broad-based and comprehensive relationship with Lebanon with over 50 engagements yearly that include joint exercises and training among others,” the source stressed.
The U.S. has provided about $100 million annually in military assistance to Lebanon since 2005. Prior to the recent developments the funds were temporarily put on hold last year.
U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton told Prime Minister Najib Miqati, during the premier’s visit to New York in late September, that while the U.S. was aware of the necessity of continuing assistance to the Lebanese Army, armed groups could not carry out the role of the state or the government, a reference to Hizbullah.
14 October 2011, 09:12
31
The US has a history of anti-Lebanese policy in the region, despite the fact that Lebanon caught in cross fire and became the front line for their conflict in the region. Lebanese suffered the most from both parties of te conflict as a result of their evil wars over power and blind support to Israel and Turkey causing the invasion of Cyprus and Lebanon by Syria and Israel to Lebanon and Turkey to Cyprus, that was not enough, killing thousand of Lebanese people without any compensation, provocative policy air space violation and spy networks including political assasinations on top of that also the deportation of US born children from Lebanese parents in violation to US constitution.
14 October 2011, 09:18
07
unfortunately they know is friends are jabal habal's family...so no more money to these crooks
14 October 2011, 09:21
03
hes good looking but not a chance to get more more! he is nasrala in disguise
14 October 2011, 10:24
51
the filthy zionist information war department has put me on the top of their media war enemies. it's a great honor. thank you. i will continue to frustrate and scare you. you and me know how afraid are you.
us won't give weapons, russia and iran will. so what's the problem?
14 October 2011, 13:42
02
jaba the camel
no normal country will give lebanon one cent while crooks like you
exist.
do not forget the m8 govt went asking the US for $$$$$$
14 October 2011, 13:46
03
If lebanese officials do not curse, condemn, accuse the US they never say a word of appreciation. Despite this the US is expected to send aid to Lebanon!?
Qahwaji made as expected a nice trip with his entourage courtesy of the Lebanese tax payers and now is going back home to do nothing.
14 October 2011, 14:06
20
the filthy zionist information war department is in state of total confusion and disarray.
first they are still unable to catch my nickname right.
secondly, one of them has nickname from the date when our glorious resistance cleaned some foreign&domestic filth in a glorious operation.
someone should explain the filthy zionist information war department that is wrong for them to celebrate that date.
14 October 2011, 14:15
11
but it's right for us to celebrate it.
it's like zionist information war department celebrate 25 may when they ran away like pussies or 14 of july when their ship was hit.
14 October 2011, 16:34
00
The results of the visit are not surprising. Qahwaji must have known he had no chance to get anything useful from the trip.
Here are some of the reasons:
1. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are deeply penetrated by Hezbollah and Syrian agents and cannot be trusted
2. The LAF and the Lebanese Government stood idle when Syria repeatedly violated Lebanese sovereignty
3. The LAF stood idle when Hezbollah and other Syrian stooges overran Beirut in 2008
4. The LAF is totally unwilling to confront any incidents that are initiated by either Syria or Hezbollah
5. Based on the above, the LAF seems to be complicit with Syria and Hezbollah, 2 enemies of the US. So why should the US help the LAF?
Do you think it's a coincidence that Francois Hajj (who was next in line to head the LAF) was killed and replaced by the ineffective Qahwaji ?
14 October 2011, 18:29
00
well said, erasmus...
as long as the hezb is here lebanon will only receive plastic rifles for the LAF to play with...
and why the USA would help lebanon to get weapons as lebanon is still at war with their principal ally? illogic!
the day lebanon will make a global peace with israel and declare itself a neutral country then maybe the lebanese army will have better toys to play with
14 October 2011, 18:40
00
They only give to the Saudi Wahhabys Sunnis Sanioura and Hariri . They have instructions from the al saoud family . They will no longer give anything to the Christians and especially to a Maronite .
But this wont last long ... Wait and see !
