Lebanese army commander holds high-level talks in Washington amid U.S. criticism

Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal met with senior U.S. officials in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss strengthening military and security cooperation, regional developments and the challenges facing Lebanon, the Lebanese army said on Friday.

Haykal visited the United States from 2 February to 5 February at the invitation of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to an army statement. The visit was part of efforts to support military cooperation and review current security challenges.

The Lebanese army said the trip aimed to bolster Lebanese-U.S. military and security relations and sustain dialogue between the leaderships of the two armed forces, within the framework of ongoing consultation and coordination with international partners.

During the visit, Haykal held a series of meetings with White House advisers, officials from the U.S. Departments of Defense and State, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, the National Security Council, and senior military and security officials.

Talks focused on ways to enhance military cooperation and support the Lebanese army’s capabilities, as well as regional security developments and the political and security challenges facing Lebanon. Discussions also addressed the army’s role in maintaining security and stability, defending state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and preserving civil peace amid Lebanon’s sensitive internal situation.

The visit comes as part of broader outreach to international partners aimed at serving Lebanon’s interests and strengthening the military institution’s ability to carry out its national duties and extend state authority across Lebanese territory.

However, the trip was overshadowed by criticism from US Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said on Thursday that he cut short a meeting with Haykal after the army commander declined to describe Hezbollah as a “terrorist organization.”

“As long as this attitude exists from the Lebanese Armed Forces, I don’t think we have a reliable partner in them,” Graham wrote on X, adding that he was “tired of the double speak in the Middle East” and warning that “too much is at stake.”

Haykal had originally been scheduled to visit Washington in November 2025, but the trip was canceled following objections from US officials, including Graham, over his performance.

In August 2025, Lebanon’s government approved a decision to restrict weapons to the state, including arms held by Hezbollah, and tasked the Lebanese army with implementing the plan in five phases.

Haykal is expected to present a report on the plan to the Cabinet next week, detailing progress made during the first phase south of the Litani River and outlining steps to begin the second phase north of the river.

Late last year, the Lebanese army said the first phase south of the Litani had “achieved its objectives and entered an advanced stage,” while warning that Israeli attacks and the occupation of Lebanese positions were negatively affecting its completion.

Hezbollah has repeatedly said it will retain its weapons, calling instead for an end to Israel’s actions in Lebanon and a full withdrawal from occupied areas.

A ceasefire reached in 2024 between Lebanon and Israel ended more than a year of hostilities that killed over 4,000 people and injured more than 17,000, against the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza.

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Under the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli army was due to withdraw from southern Lebanon in January 2025, but only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.

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