U.S. Military Provides Special Forces Training to the Lebanese Armed Forces

December 9, 2008

Ambassador Michele J. Sison and Major General Charles T. Cleveland, Commander, Special Operations Command of the United Stats Central Command attended the closing ceremony that the Lebanese Armed Forces  held for the latest in a series of Joint Combined Exercise Training (JCET) programs with U.S. Military Personnel on December 8. 

This training program focused on Special Forces training, one of the priorities of the Lebanese Armed Forces.  The U.S. Government and the Lebanese Armed Forces are engaged in an active program of training and assistance designed to upgrade the capability of the Lebanese Armed Forces in several areas.
 
The JCET program is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and promotes skills sharing between the United States and Lebanon.  Training is carried out in accordance with Lebanese Armed Forces requests, focused on areas the leadership identifies.  JCET programs are only one component of a comprehensive U.S. military assistance program to Lebanon. 

Since 2006, the United States has committed over $410 million in security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces.  With this comprehensive military assistance program, the U.S. Government shows its commitment to supporting and strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces, an institution of the government of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, as it continues to safeguard the peace, unity and sovereignty of Lebanon.