Sunday, April 17, 2016

CENTCOM Commander General Votel Visits Lebanon

April 15, 2016
Today, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L. Votel visited Lebanon today as part of a multi-stop tour of the Middle East.  This is his first trip to the region since assuming his role as CENTCOM Commander on March 30, 2016.  In Lebanon, General Votel met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Jean Kahwagi and other key leaders of Lebanese Armed Forces.  He also observed military exercises at the Hamat Air Base.  During his meetings with the LAF, General Votel reaffirmed the Lebanese-American partnership in countering the threat of terrorism and reiterated the United States' confidence in the capabilities of the LAF in its role as the defender of Lebanon.  General Votel renewed the United States' sustained commitment to providing the LAF with top-quality weapons, equipment, and training so that the Lebanese state can exercise its sovereign authority on the border and throughout the country, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701.  Since 2004, America has provided over $1.4 billion dollars in security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces, including both training and equipment.