Qahwaji Heads to U.S., to Request Weapons for Army
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji is expected to travel to the United States on Monday where he is scheduled to hold talks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.
A prominent military source told the daily that the visit is aimed at “requesting military support for the Lebanese army, as well as providing it with weapons and logistic equipment.”
No conditions have been set over the Lebanese army regarding the members of the delegation heading to the United States or the visit’s agenda, added the source.
U.S. Ambassador Maura Connelly had reiterated on Tuesday that the Obama administration expects from Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces to fulfill their commitment to implement U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, the U.S. embassy said in a statement.
During talks with Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn, the ambassador repeated the U.S. government’s support for and assistance to the Lebanese army.
The embassy said Connelly and Ghosn discussed Qahwaji’s upcoming visit to the U.S. at the invitation of Dempsey, a further indication of the strong partnership between the U.S. and Lebanon.
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