Lebanon's Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal, visited the United States of America from February 2 to 5, 2026, at the official invitation of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, within the framework of strengthening military and security relations between Lebanon and the United States of America, and to continue the dialogues between the leaderships of the two armies, as part of ongoing consultation and coordination with international partners.
During the visit, General Haykal held a series of high-level meetings with White House advisors, officials from the Departments of Defense and State, as well as members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Security Council, and military and security officials. The meetings focused on ways to enhance military cooperation and strengthen the army’s capabilities, in addition to discussing regional security developments, Lebanon’s current challenges facing Lebanon, the army’s role in ensuring security and stability, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintaining civil peace given Lebanon’s unique and sensitive internal situation."
In this context, General Haykal met with the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Dan Caine, in Washington, where they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as ways to develop cooperation between the Lebanese and U.S. armies.
The Army Commander began his visit with a meeting with the Commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Charles B. Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command for the Navy (MarCent), and the Chairman of the Mechanism for Monitoring the Ceasefire, U.S. General Joseph Clearfield, at the Central Command headquarters in Tampa. The discussions focused on coordination frameworks to address the threats facing Lebanon amidst the current transformations, security developments along the southern borders, and mechanisms to support the army in strengthening its capabilities in the coming period.
The talks addressed coordination frameworks to confront the threats facing Lebanon amidst the current transformations, security developments on the southern border, and the mechanism to support the army in strengthening its capabilities in the coming period.
During these meetings, General Haykal expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the U.S. authorities for their ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of various military units."
On the other hand, the US authorities welcomed the visit, and American officials praised the army's diligent work in implementing international law and executing its plan in the southern Litani sector, in its capacity as the institution guaranteeing security and stability in Lebanon. The US side also affirmed its continued support for the army and its commitment to providing the necessary requirements for the successful completion of its missions across Lebanon, with the aim of strengthening Lebanon's role in the region and protecting it from regional repercussions.
The Army Commander also met with members of the Lebanese community in the United States at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, assuring them that Lebanon’s recovery can only be achieved through the combined efforts of all, especially the expatriates, in the pursuit of Lebanon’s progress. He also emphasized that the army is working steadily towards a promising future."
This visit falls within the framework of engagement with international partners, in a manner that serves the interest of Lebanon and the military institution and enhances its abilityto carry out its national duties and extend state authority across all Lebanese territory.
During the visit, General Haykal held a series of high-level meetings with White House advisors, officials from the Departments of Defense and State, as well as members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, the National Security Council, and military and security officials. The meetings focused on ways to enhance military cooperation and strengthen the army’s capabilities, in addition to discussing regional security developments, Lebanon’s current challenges facing Lebanon, the army’s role in ensuring security and stability, safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and maintaining civil peace given Lebanon’s unique and sensitive internal situation."
In this context, General Haykal met with the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Dan Caine, in Washington, where they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as ways to develop cooperation between the Lebanese and U.S. armies.
The Army Commander began his visit with a meeting with the Commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Charles B. Cooper, the Commander of U.S. Central Command for the Navy (MarCent), and the Chairman of the Mechanism for Monitoring the Ceasefire, U.S. General Joseph Clearfield, at the Central Command headquarters in Tampa. The discussions focused on coordination frameworks to address the threats facing Lebanon amidst the current transformations, security developments along the southern borders, and mechanisms to support the army in strengthening its capabilities in the coming period.
The talks addressed coordination frameworks to confront the threats facing Lebanon amidst the current transformations, security developments on the southern border, and the mechanism to support the army in strengthening its capabilities in the coming period.
During these meetings, General Haykal expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the U.S. authorities for their ongoing efforts to enhance the capabilities of various military units."
On the other hand, the US authorities welcomed the visit, and American officials praised the army's diligent work in implementing international law and executing its plan in the southern Litani sector, in its capacity as the institution guaranteeing security and stability in Lebanon. The US side also affirmed its continued support for the army and its commitment to providing the necessary requirements for the successful completion of its missions across Lebanon, with the aim of strengthening Lebanon's role in the region and protecting it from regional repercussions.
The Army Commander also met with members of the Lebanese community in the United States at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington, assuring them that Lebanon’s recovery can only be achieved through the combined efforts of all, especially the expatriates, in the pursuit of Lebanon’s progress. He also emphasized that the army is working steadily towards a promising future."
This visit falls within the framework of engagement with international partners, in a manner that serves the interest of Lebanon and the military institution and enhances its abilityto carry out its national duties and extend state authority across all Lebanese territory.
