Thursday, September 29, 2011

Senior U.S. Military Official Visits Lebanon

September 29, 2011
Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for the Middle East at the Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General John W. Charlton visited Lebanon September 29, 2011 and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi and other senior officials.
They discussed areas of strong and sustained military cooperation between the two countries as well as Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. General Charlton invited General Kahwagi to Washington, D.C. in mid-October to meet the new Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.
 

Monday, September 26, 2011

U.S. Ambassador Congratulates Graduates of IMET Program

September 24, 2011
On September 23, 2011 U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly participated in a reception at the Jounieh Military Complex in honor of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) Program. IMET has been one of the cornerstones of the U.S.-Lebanese military to military relationship for over 40 years and includes a number of senior Lebanese military officers among 2,000 previous graduates.
As participants, Lebanese who come from all regions and represent the diversity of Lebanese society study different topics ranging in length from one week to one year. Collectively, these courses better enable the Lebanese Armed Forces to meet its goal to further strengthen, professionalize, and develop its fighting forces while enhancing its capacity to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
The participation of Lebanese military officers in IMET courses not only assists with the professional development of Lebanese officers but introduces U.S. and other foreign officers to the cultural diversity and perspectives of Lebanon. As unofficial ambassadors, Lebanese participants stress the Armed Forces role as Lebanon's sole defense force which is capable of securing the borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.

U.S. Ambassador Meets with Prime Minister

September 23, 2011
On September 23, 2011, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Prime Minister's offices at the Grand Serail. Ambassador Connelly consulted with Prime Minister Mikati about Lebanon's September presidency of the United Nations Security Council and his upcoming trip to chair a session of the UNSC.
Ambassador Connelly and the Prime Minister further discussed the recent visit of Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT) Commander Brigadier General Kenneth Tovo and his meetings with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwaji and other senior officials. The Ambassador highlighted important areas of continued military cooperation between the two countries as well as Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
They also discussed areas of overall cooperation between the two countries and regional developments.

U.S. Military Commander Visits Lebanon

September 23, 2011
Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT) Commander Brigadier General Kenneth Tovo visited Lebanon September 22-23, 2011 and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwaji and other senior officials.
They discussed areas of continued military cooperation between the two countries as well as Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. 
 
 

U.S. Military Commander Visits Lebanon

September 23, 2011
Special Operations Central Command (SOCCENT) Commander Brigadier General Kenneth Tovo visited Lebanon September 22-23, 2011 and met with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwaji and other senior officials.
They discussed areas of continued military cooperation between the two countries as well as Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. 
 
 

Thursday, September 15, 2011

U.S. Ambassador Meets with President

On September 15, 2011 U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with President Michel Sleiman at the President's offices in Baabda. Ambassador Connelly consulted with President Sleiman about Lebanon's September presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and his upcoming trip to attend the UN General Assembly.
They also discussed areas of cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Connelly further called upon Lebanon to meet all of its international obligations. She renewed the commitment of the United States to a sovereign and independent Lebanon.
 

Saturday, September 03, 2011

Ambassador Connelly Visits Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel

On September 2, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Maura Connelly met with Deputy Prime Minister Samir Mokbel and discussed with him ongoing areas of bilateral cooperation.  She stressed the Government of Lebanon's obligations to uphold all its international commitments.  Ambassador Connelly reiterated the U.S. government's commitment to a sovereign and independent Lebanon.