Haykal holds 'very good' meetings with US military officials
Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal held "very good" meeting with U.S. military officials in the United States, sources familiar with the matter said.
In remarks to al-Akhbar newspaper, the sources said Haykal sensed "a clear professional understanding from the military leadership regarding the Lebanese Army's approach" to addressing the issue of weapons in Lebanon.
The sources explained that the Army Commander emphasized during his meetings that resolving the issue of Hezbollah's weapons cannot be accomplished in a short period, but requires sufficient time.
He stressed that it cannot be “a purely military approach, but rather requires political backing, operational capability, and broad internal consensus.” He affirmed that “the army cannot engage in internal conflict with a fundamental component of the country and of the military establishment itself, given the serious risks this poses, which could lead to a division within the army and ignite a civil war,” the sources said.
The sources, however, pointed out that this "understanding" from the U.S. military leadership does not necessarily mean it will extend to the political level within the U.S. administration, especially in light of “the campaign led by a pro-Israel faction pressuring Lebanon to take immediate steps toward disarmament.”
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