U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is focused on supporting the government of Lebanon with enforcing the rule of law in that nation and developing the Lebanese Armed Forces into a self-sufficient defense force. CENTCOM supports the Lebanese government’s ability to secure the nation’s borders and to deny freedom of movement and safe haven to violent extremist organizations.

CENTCOM also supports the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions 1559 and 1701. UNSCR 1559, adopted in September 2004, calls upon Lebanon to establish its sovereignty over all of its land and called upon foreign forces (generally interpreted as referring but not limited to Syria) to withdraw from Lebanon and to cease intervening in the internal politics of Lebanon. The resolution also called on all Lebanese and non-Lebanese militias to disband and declared support for a “free and fair electoral process.” UNSCR 1701, adopted in August 2006, calls for the disarmament of all violent extremist organizations (such as Hizballah), and limiting weapons and authority in Lebanon to the Lebanese government.