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Statement

Statement | Jan. 14, 2025

USCENTCOM Commander Visits Lebanon

USCENTCOM

STATEMENT
Jan. 14, 2025

TAMPA, Fla. – 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 between the two leaders since Aoun became President. President Aoun previously served as the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

Gen. Kurilla and President Aoun discussed several key issues, including enhancing the capabilities and operational readiness of the LAF and addressing shared security challenges in the region. Both leaders also discussed progress made with the implementation and monitoring mechanism of the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon. Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who co-chairs the implementation and monitoring mechanism, joined Gen. Kurilla and President Aoun during the meeting.

Separately, Gen. Kurilla met with Maj. Gen. Jeffers, Brigadier Guillaume Ponchin, who represents the French on the monitoring mechanism, Major General Aroldo Lázaro, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and other members of the implementation and monitoring mechanism team. During the meeting, Gen. Kurilla received an update on the LAF's efforts to secure and defend Lebanon as they act to remove and render safe hundreds of pieces of unexploded ordnance every week.

Gen. Kurilla reiterated his support for a continued strong military-to military partnership with the LAF, focused on training and equipping the LAF to enhance their operational readiness. The meeting reflected the LAF's critical role as a stabilizing force and a key partner in maintaining regional security.