Khaberni - A US official disclosed that the War Department informed Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Heikal of the cancellation of all his meetings that had been scheduled at the Pentagon.
Lebanese officials stated that the United States canceled meetings for Heikal that had been scheduled in Washington after objecting to a statement issued by the army last Sunday "which the administration used to blame Israel and consider it the problem, rather than blaming Hezbollah."
A Lebanese security official told Anadolu Agency that the cancellation of these meetings was "surprising and shocking," which led the army commander to cancel the visit, Heikal was due to arrive in Washington today, Tuesday, to hold meetings regarding military aid and security cooperation at the border.
On the other hand, Lebanese media reported that these meetings were canceled due to "dissatisfaction" from the US administration, which it considers a "failure" by the Lebanese army in the task of confining weapons to state hands.
Washington is a major supporter of the Lebanese army, having provided over $3 billion over the past 20 years in a policy aimed at supporting state institutions.
The Lebanese army stated in a statement the day before yesterday, "The Israeli enemy insists on its violations of Lebanese sovereignty, causing instability in Lebanon, and hindering the full deployment of the army in the south."
The statement also condemned "the targeting of an (Israel) patrol for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and affirmed its work "in coordination with friendly countries to put an end to ongoing violations and breaches by the Israeli enemy, which require immediate action as they represent a serious escalation."
The Israeli army occupies 5 positions within Lebanon and regularly carries out airstrikes in southern Lebanon, claiming they target Hezbollah fighters.
Last year, Israel and Lebanon reached a ceasefire agreement which stipulates that Hezbollah shall not possess any weapons in the south and that Israeli forces shall completely withdraw from Lebanon.
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States and France, the Lebanese Armed Forces are required to confiscate "all unauthorized weapons," starting from the area south of the Litani River.
In October last year, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved $230 million for the Lebanese security forces to support the army and the internal security forces, aimed at bolstering internal security and disarming Hezbollah, as part of efforts to affirm Lebanese sovereignty and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701. This support represents one of the most significant pillars of the military partnership between the two countries in recent decades.
On September 5 last year, the Lebanese government approved - in a cabinet session - the army's plan to confine weapons to state hands, to commence implementation according to available capabilities.
On August 5 last year, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam requested - from the army - to devise a plan to ensure weapons are confined to the hands of security forces by the end of the current year, while Hezbollah rejects calls to lay down its arms.
