U.S. Abides by Decision to Freeze Military Assistance to Lebanon as U.S. Embassy Denies
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.
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