Lebanese Army commander begins US visit

BEIRUT – Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun has started an official visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet with military and civilian officials in Washington, the Army reported Monday.

The Army statement said that the visit, which will last a few days, will center on “ways to strengthen cooperation between the armies of both countries.”

Local daily Al-Akhbar meanwhile reported that discussions are expected to focus on assessing continued American military aid to the Lebanese Army, to help it to pursue its “mission in preserving the country’s internal [territory] as well as its borders.”

Officials from both armies will review and discuss ways to further enhance and increase the military aid program, which has been ongoing since Lebanon’s war with Israel in 2006, according to the report.

A delegation of Lebanese Army officers will accompany Aoun to meet with members of the U.S. committee responsible for the military aid program, to explain how the Lebanese Army is using the weaponry granted to it, its future strategy, and additional needs for U.S. arms.

According to Al-Akhbar, assessments of military aid will start with a presentation from Lebanese Army officers about the “Fajr al-Jouroud” (Dawn of the Outskirts) offensive, which the Lebanese Army launched in 2017 to drive out Daesh (ISIS) militants from the northeastern borders with Syria. Officials will explain how the Army used its weaponry during the offensive in a “correct and professional manner.”

Al-Akhbar noted that the Army chief’s visit to the U.S. will serve to refute rumors about a reported U.S. plan to reduce military aid to Lebanon, and that the visit will in fact confirm the progress of the program.

“The American side considers the Lebanese Army a strategic partner and is interested in investing in the Army, as it considers it to the be the first line of defense in the face of terrorism, capable of preventing its spread towards other countries, especially Western countries,” Al-Akhbar reported.

As part of the military aid, the Lebanese Army has received a number of M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, among other equipment yet to be delivered.

The U.S. also provides education and training to Lebanese Army personnel, allocating funds for hundreds of them to receive specialized training and schooling with the U.S. military.