US senior official visits Lebanon, meets senior officials

Lebanese Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji, conferred over Lebanese and U.S. army bilateral relations with head of the U.S. Central Command, Commander General James Mattis, who visited his Baabda office along with the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Maura Connelly.         

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General James N. Mattis, currently on a visit to Lebanon, also met with President Michel Sleiman, Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn.         

General Mattis renewed the United States' commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon. He underscored U.S. CENTCOM's support in strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, recognizing its importance in serving as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense force to secure Lebanon's borders and defend the sovereignty and independence of the state.         

In his meetings, General Mattis also discussed the political and security situation in Lebanon and other regional issues. He further emphasized the 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.     

NNA