CENTCOM deputy chief meets Lebanese president in Beirut

By Wasim Saif al-Din

BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Friday received Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., deputy commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), at Beirut’s Baabda Palace.

“Lebanon has continued its fight against terror following its recent victories against Daesh on the eastern border [with Syria],” Aoun told Brown, according to a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency.

During the meeting, the Lebanese president also raised the issue of Israel’s repeated violations of Lebanese airspace.

Aoun nevertheless reiterated his country’s commitment to the “full implementation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Brown, for his part, assured Aoun that Washington would continue to support the Lebanese army, “so it might strengthen its role safeguarding [Lebanon’s] national sovereignty and protecting its territory”.

He also praised the role played by the UN’s Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in keeping the peace in Southern Lebanon.

Brown went on to commend Beirut’s recent decision to send military reinforcements to Southern Lebanon -- a move which, he said, would contribute to regional stability.