US Embassy: Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow Visits Beirut

26/07/10 NNA - In a press release by the US Embassy in Beirut, it indicated that "Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Alexander Vershbow visited Beirut on Monday to meet with President Sleiman, Prime Minister Hariri Defense Minister Murr, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the UNIFIL Deputy Force Commander and staff."

The release added "During his visit Assistant Secretary Vershbow reaffirmed U.S. commitment to providing security assistance to the Government of Lebanon (GoL) and the LAF as they continue to extend Lebanese government control throughout the country. Assistant Secretary Vershbow also confirmed that Congress has approved $100M in Foreign Military Financing for 2010. This will help the LAF continue its multi-year comprehensive training and equipping program, which is specifically targeted to help the LAF maintain security, protect Lebanon's borders against smuggling, and prevent militias and other non-state actors from using violence to undermine the GoL's authority. Assistant Secretary Vershbow applauded GoL and LAF efforts to implement UNSCR 1559 and 1701 in cooperation with UNIFIL and expressed sincere appreciation for LAF actions taken to counter extremism inside Lebanon."