Aoun Meets Senior U.S. General, Hopes for Continued Military Aid

President Michel Aoun stressed Tuesday that “Lebanon is determined to carry on with its fight against terrorist groups and the pursuit of their sleeper cells,” during talks in Baabda with the head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph Votel.

“The army is continuing its airstrikes and land operations against the posts of these groups, inflicting heavy casualties on their members,” Aoun added in the meeting, which was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard and a U.S. military delegation.

“The preemptive military operations that the army is carrying out against the posts of the terrorist groups are being conducted with utmost precision and competency,” the president went on to say.

Thanking Votel for “the support that the United States is offering to the Lebanese army,” Aoun hoped the military assistance will continue to “enable the army to play its role in preserving security and stability in the country.”

Votel for his part relayed to Aoun the keenness of the U.S. administration on maintaining support for the Lebanese army, the National News Agency said.

Votel also held talks on Tuesday with Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.

A U.S. Embassy statement had said that Votel was expected to discuss “key security issues” with Lebanese leaders.

“General Votel will reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership to counter the threat of terrorism and support the Lebanese Armed Forces in their capacity as the sole defender of Lebanon,” the statement added.

Votel last visited Lebanon in February during which he held meetings with top Lebanese officials.