LAF commander concludes visit to GB

General Jean Kahwagi, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, concluded his first official visit to Britain. During the two-day visit, Kahwagi met several officials from the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Ministry and from the National Security Council. The meetings discussed military cooperation issues between Lebanon and UK, as well as Middle East issues. A statement from the British Embassy stated that the discussions focused on “UK assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces and regional stability. The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces toured a number of military training facilities, including the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where he met with Lebanese officers undergoing Army, Navy and Commando training courses, and Salisbury Plain Training Military Area, where he observed Lebanese officers undergoing the Urban Operations International Instructors Course.” The statement added “This visit is a sign of the increasing strength of the UK's defence relationship with Lebanon. General Sir David Richards discussed with General Kahwaji ways in which the UK is increasing its assistance to the LAF, in recognition of the critical role it plays in safeguarding Lebanese sovereignty, stability and independence.” British government officials reaffirmed to General Kahwaji “Lebanon's importance as an ally in the region, and called on the international community to do all it can to assist the LAF to limit the risk of instability in neighbouring Syria from undermining Lebanese national security.”