CENTCOM Commander General Joseph Votel Visits Lebanon

On April 20, 2018, the Commander of United States Central Command General Joseph Votel met with President Michel Aoun, President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri, and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard.

In his meetings, General Votel reaffirmed the U.S. government's commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership and its support to the Lebanese Armed Forces in their capacity as the sole defender of Lebanon.

Statement by President Donald J. Trump on Lebanon

From the office of the press secretary: 

I send my greetings to those who participated in the April 3 CEDRE Investment Conference on Lebanon and the Lebanese people. Lebanon is a country facing countless challenges, including an unprecedented influx of refugees and the corrosive influence of Iran and Hizballah. But as we can see from the success of this conference, Lebanon is also a country with many friends and enormous potential.

I commend the government of Lebanon's progress, under the leadership of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, to address these pressing challenges. Lebanon has now passed a budget in two consecutive years, increased Lebanese Armed Forces deployments in the south, and defeated ISIS in Lebanon. And, it will soon hold historic parliamentary elections. These are all steps toward improved governance and a more secure Lebanon.

I also welcome and support Lebanon's plans to strengthen its economy through its Capital Investment Plan and its commitment to implement necessary reforms, including combatting corruption, increasing transparency, and improving accountability and fiscal management. Undoubtedly, Lebanon's ambitious set of infrastructure projects presents great opportunities to strengthen Lebanon's economy and enhance economic prospects for the whole country. American companies will look forward to the new opportunities that the Capital Investment Plan will offer in Lebanon.

The United States is proud of our close ties with the Lebanese people and stands in support of Lebanon's efforts to strengthen its legitimate state institutions and develop an open, free economy that serves all Lebanese.

ARCENT Deputy Commander Concludes Visit to Lebanon

By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 29 March, 2018 | 
U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) Deputy Commander Major General Terrence J. McKenrick concluded his visit to Lebanon.  During his visit, he met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Joseph Aoun and other senior LAF officials, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth H. Richard.
In his meetings, Major General McKenrick renewed the U.S. government's commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership and support to the LAF in their capacity as the sole defender of Lebanon.
As recently stated at the Rome Conference in support of Lebanese state security institutions, this year, the United States will complete the delivery of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and 32 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which are part of $340 million in assistance to improve the LAF's capability in the air and to build its modern, mechanized maneuver capability on the ground.