30-04-2025
US dispatches senior military official to Beirut to support Lebanon ceasefire efforts
The United States has deployed a full-time senior military official to Beirut as part of its efforts to support the Lebanon ceasefire monitoring mechanism and strengthen military ties with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), the US Embassy in Beirut said on Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. Michael Leeney, deputy commander of US Army Central (ARCENT), arrived in Beirut this week and was introduced to senior Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday. According to the US Embassy, Leeney will work closely with the LAF, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), France, and the Military Technical Committee to bolster LAF security operations and support Lebanese sovereignty.
His presence is intended to solidify Washington's military partnership with Lebanon and ensure continued coordination during the fragile ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
While Maj. Gen. Leeney will assume a lead role on the ground, Maj. Gen. Jasper—who has headed the ceasefire monitoring mechanism since the truce was reached last November—will remain involved, shifting focus to his primary duties as commander of US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT).
'The LAF is well known as a capable force and my meetings have shown just how dedicated they are to ensuring peace and stability,' Leeney said.
During the Wednesday meeting, Aoun assured US officials that the LAF is fully engaged in securing the Israeli-Lebanese border, noting the confiscation of weapons and ammunition in recent operations.
However, concerns remain about the LAF's ability to meet the demands of its dual mission: maintaining border security and overseeing Hezbollah's disarmament. Bilal Saab, senior managing director at TRENDS US and a former Pentagon official, emphasized the need for enhanced military assistance.
'I'm glad to see the US commitment at the leadership level. Now we have to complement that with the means the LAF needs to step up and take the Hezbollah disarmament issue to the finish line,' Saab told Al Arabiya English.
The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee issued a stern warning to the LAF earlier this month, urging the LAF to accelerate the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel or face a potential reassessment of American military aid to Beirut.
Under the current ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah is required to withdraw its fighters and weapons at least 20 miles north of the Israeli border. In exchange, Israel must vacate the remaining Lebanese territories it occupies, allowing the LAF to assume control. Despite this, Israel maintains its hold on five positions along the border, citing Hezbollah's incomplete disarmament.
Lebanon's president has repeatedly told advisors and ministers in the government that he has taken full responsibility of the issue to ensure Hezbollah hands over its weapons and will directly deal with the group. Yet, Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets have continued, including recent attacks in Beirut, which Israel claims are in response to ceasefire violations.
Hezbollah has not retaliated but has criticized the Lebanese state, accusing it of failing to prevent the strikes. Intelligence assessments suggest that a majority of Hezbollah's arsenal, including precision-guided missiles and drones, has been destroyed in Israeli operations over the past year.
In Wednesday's meeting, Aoun called on the US and France, as key members of the monitoring mechanism, to pressure Israel to halt its attacks, withdraw from the occupied positions, and return Lebanese prisoners captured during the war with Hezbollah.
