Senior General Renews 'U.S. Commitment to Providing LAF with Top-Quality Weapons'

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L. Votel visited Lebanon Friday as part of a multi-stop tour of the Middle East and renewed the United States’ “sustained commitment” to providing the Lebanese army with “top-quality weapons, equipment, and training,” the U.S. embassy said.

During his meetings with army officials, Votel reaffirmed “the Lebanese-American partnership in countering the threat of terrorism and reiterated the United States’ confidence in the capabilities of the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) in its role as the defender of Lebanon,” the embassy added in a statement.

The U.S. assistance is aimed at enabling the Lebanese state to “exercise its sovereign authority on the border and throughout the country, in accordance with U.N. Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701,” the embassy quoted Votel as saying.

The U.S. General met with Army Commander General Jean Qahwagi and other key army officers. He also observed military exercises at the Hamat Air Base.

This is his first trip to the region since assuming his role as CENTCOM Commander on March 30, 2016.

Since 2004, the U.S. has provided over $1.4 billion dollars in security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, including both training and equipment, according to the statement.