CENTCOM Commander General Mattis Visits Lebanon

January 13, 2012

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General James N. Mattis visited Lebanon today and met with President Michel Sleiman, President of the Chamber of Deputies Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Minister of Defense Fayez Ghosn and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Jean Kahwagi.   

In his meetings, General Mattis 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. 

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.