CENTCOM chief paid two-day visit to Lebanon: US embassy

By Mahmut Geldi

BEIRUT

Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), paid an unannounced two-day visit to Lebanon this week, the U.S. embassy in Beirut revealed Wednesday.

In a statement, the embassy said that Votel -- while in Beirut on Monday and Tuesday -- had met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun.

A four-star general, Votel also met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri; Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun; and Stefano Del Col, commander of the UN’s Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), according to the same statement.

During the meetings, Votel reportedly reaffirmed Washington’s continued commitment to the U.S.-Lebanon partnership and its ongoing support for the Lebanese army in its capacity as Lebanon’s “sole, legitimate defender”.