U.S. calls off Lebanese army chief visit amid tensions
Lebanese army commander, General Joseph Aoun (C), speaks with Major General Aroldo Lazaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (L) during a visit to the southern Lebanese village of Khiam on December 23, 2024, after the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the area under a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah. Israel stepped up its campaign in south Lebanon in late September after nearly a year of cross-border exchanges begun by Hezbollah in support of Hamas following its Palestinian ally's October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel. A ceasefire came into effect on November 27. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
A visit to Washington by Rodolphe Haykal, Lebanon’s army chief, was abruptly cancelled after his forces condemned Israeli “enemy” attacks on Lebanese land, The National reported on November 18th.
Lebanese military and security sources claim the U.S. move intended to pressure Beirut amidst rising frustration over the slow pace of Hezbollah’s disarmament.
This comes as Lebanon has faced severe attacks from Israeli forces, with threats of increased military action against Hezbollah. A Lebanese security source stated that the U.S. “didn’t seem happy with the latest army statement,” which criticised Israel “without mentioning Hezbollah’s disarmament at all.”
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham referred to Haykal as “a giant setback” and accused him of making “almost non-existent” efforts to disarm Hezbollah. Republican Senator Joni Ernst reiterated similar points, claiming the opportunity could have been seized to free Lebanon from “Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists.”
Hezbollah has agreed to uphold their end of last year’s ceasefire agreement, adding that they support peacekeeping efforts south of the Litani River as stipulated in the agreement. However, the group maintains their sovereignty in rejecting Israeli occupation, and has resisted disarmament due to the presence of Israeli forces on Lebanon’s territory.
Lebanese Finance Minister Yassine Jaber stated the military “needs support” due to the pressure being faced from Israeli attacks, urging for a diplomatic solution.
Graham previously warned that if peaceful disarmament efforts for Hezbollah failed, “plan B”, which is the use of military force, should be considered.
The Lebanese army statement that offended U.S. officials accused Israel of escalating violations that hinder the army’s deployment in the south. UN peacekeepers also stated Israeli forces fired on a patrol, amounting to a “serious violation.” Israel claimed its soldiers mistook them for suspects.
Despite a ceasefire requiring Hezbollah’s staged disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal, Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, citing Hezbollah targets. The UN reports over 100 civilian deaths and thousands of Israeli ground violations since the ceasefire, along with over 360 weapons caches discovered south of the Litani River.
The National, Maghrebi.org
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