CENTCOM chief reaffirms US support for Lebanon in meeting with newly elected president

On January 13, General Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), held pivotal meetings with Lebanese leadership, marking his first encounter with newly elected President Joseph Aoun.

As CENTCOM reported on its social media platform X, the meeting took place at the Presidential Palace, where General Kurilla and President Aoun addressed several critical topics, per Caliber.Az.

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Lebanon

On 13 January, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), conducted key leader engagements in Lebanon.

Gen. Kurilla met with newly elected President Joseph Aoun at the Presidential Palace. It was the first meeting… pic.twitter.com/KeqBGy347e

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 14, 2025

These included enhancing the Lebanese Armed Forces' (LAF) capabilities and operational readiness and tackling shared security challenges across the region.

"The United States remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the LAF," General Kurilla stated during the meeting, emphasizing the strategic importance of bolstering Lebanon's security forces.

President Joseph Aoun, who previously served as the commander of the LAF, engaged in discussions about the progress of the cessation of hostilities mechanism between Israel and Lebanon. Major General Jasper Jeffers, co-chair of the mechanism, joined the conversation, contributing insights into the ongoing efforts.

Separately, General Kurilla convened with Major General Jeffers, Brigadier General Guillaume Ponchen of France, Major General Aroldo Lazaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and other members of the monitoring team.

During this meeting, General Kurilla received updates on the LAF's initiatives, particularly their ongoing efforts to secure Lebanon by clearing hundreds of pieces of unexploded ordnance weekly. Highlighting the importance of this work, he reiterated the US's commitment to supporting the LAF through training and equipping programs aimed at improving their readiness.

"The Lebanese Armed Forces remain a stabilizing force and a critical partner in regional security," General Kurilla noted.

President Joseph Aoun was elected on January 9, 2025, securing 99 out of 128 parliamentary votes in the second round of elections. His election ended a prolonged presidential vacancy that had persisted since October 31, 2022, following Michel Aoun's departure from office after a six-year term.

By Tamilla Hasanova