2006 press releases

1LT Timani, Major General Kearney, and 2LT Mokhtar (left to right) at the Ranger Regiment in Roumieh

Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command of Central Command Visits Lebanese Armed Forces

June 14, 2006

The Commanding General of the U.S. Special Operations Command Central Command (SOCCENT) Major General Frank Kearney met the Lebanese Armed Forces, June 14, 2006. He discussed defense cooperation with the Commanding General of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Army, Lieutenant General Michel Sleiman, the Chief of Staff Major General Chawki El-Masry, and the commanders of Lebanese Special Operations units. The talks focused on key areas of cooperation between Lebanese and U.S. special operations forces such as training and military equipment. MG Kearney also visited the Ranger Regiment and met with Commander Colonel Salah Kais and his staff. At the Ranger Regiment MG Kearney congratulated 1st Lieutenant Sultan Timani and 2nd Lieutenant Ghayas Al Mokhtar for their recent achievements: Lieutenants Timani and Mokhtar are the first Lebanese service members since 1988 to attend and graduate from U.S. Army Ranger school. The U.S. Office of Defense Cooperation in Lebanon coordinated the visit of Major General Kearney.