Good evening everyone. Dear Ministers, Members of Parliament, Military officers, colleagues from the diplomatic community, business leaders, students, and friends – thank you for being with us. And thank you to Captain Benfield for the warm welcome and for hosting us aboard this impressive vessel. We’re also glad to have Vice Admiral Malloy back in ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 15 September, 2019 | Topics: Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, U.S.-Lebanon Relations
On September 14, 2019, the United States Navy’s USS Ramage (DDG-61), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, entered the port of Lebanon for a one-day goodwill visit on the sidelines of its participation in ongoing efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and free-flow commerce in the eastern Mediterranean. The USS Ramage is named for Vice Admiral Lawson ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 15 September, 2019 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
On August 21, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard and U.S. military representatives attended a live-fire exercise conducted by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) at the Akoura military complex. In remarks to the press, Ambassador Richard congratulated the LAF for demonstrating outstanding professionalism and sophistication in safely executing complex maneuvers using advanced-technology weaponry and equipment, calling the live-fire ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 21 August, 2019 | Topics: Ambassador, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance
On July 19, 2019 the Commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command, Lieutenant General Carl E. Mundy, and U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard visited Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) installations and met with senior officials. In his meetings, General Mundy highlighted the U.S. government’s partnership with Lebanon, which provided nearly $300 million of security ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 19 July, 2019 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance
On May 27-28, 2019, the Commander of United States Air Force Central Command Lieutenant General Joseph Guastella met with Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun, as well as key leaders in the LAF Air Force, while visiting Hamat Air Base and Beirut Air Base. In his meetings, General Guastella discussed the many ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 28 May, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance
The United States works across the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their capacity as the sole, legitimate defender of Lebanon. U.S. assistance takes the following forms: Capability development through LAF acquisition of defense articles and services via the Foreign Military Sales process, largely funded by Department of State Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and Department of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 13 February, 2019 | Topics: Fact Sheets, News, Press Releases | Tags: Military Assistance
The United States is pleased to announce the delivery today of the shipment of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets, valued at more than $16 million, destined for the Lebanese Armed Forces. These APKWS laser-guided rockets are a key component for the Lebanese Air Force’s new A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft. Today’s ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 13 February, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
On January 21-22, 2019 the Commander of United States Central Command General Joseph Votel met with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri, and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun, as well as UNIFIL Force Commander Major General Stefano Del Col, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard. In ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 23 January, 2019 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
On October 16, 2018, the DTRA Director, Vayl Oxford, met with the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, General Joseph Aoun, to discuss both border and maritime security. In partnership with the both Lebanese Army and the United Kingdom, the United States is proud to outfit and train Lebanese border units with state-of-art surveillance capabilities ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 18 October, 2018 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, Security, US-Lebanese Relations
Ambassador Elizabeth Richard spoke on Tuesday June 12 at the Hamat Air Base on the occasion of the delivery of four A-29 Super Tucano aircrafts to the Lebanese Armed Forces. Good afternoon. General Aoun, Major General Shreim, General Haykal, our brothers and sisters in the LAF and the air force and dear guests. It is ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 13 June, 2018 | Topics: Ambassador, Events, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, Speeches, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Assistance, Military Assistance, Partnership, U.S.-Lebanon Relations
On April 20, 2018, the Commander of United States Central Command General Joseph Votel met with President Michel Aoun, President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri, and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth H. Richard. In his meetings, General Votel reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 21 April, 2018 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Assistance, Military Assistance, U.S.-Lebanon Relations
U.S. Army Central (ARCENT) Deputy Commander Major General Terrence J. McKenrick concluded his visit to Lebanon. During his visit, he met with Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander General Joseph Aoun and other senior LAF officials, accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth H. Richard. In his meetings, Major General McKenrick renewed the U.S. government’s commitment ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 29 March, 2018 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Assistance, Military Assistance, Security, US-Lebanese Relations
Press Statement Heather Nauert Department Spokesperson Washington, DC March 15, 2018 The United States today renewed its support for two of Lebanon’s vital national institutions, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF), in Rome at the conference in support of Lebanese state security services. U.S. delegate and Senior Bureau Official for ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 16 March, 2018 | Topics: Key Officials, News, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, Security Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Vice Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), visited Lebanon January 11, 2018. As the NAVCENT Commander, Vice Admiral Aquilino is responsible for conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts, and strengthening partner nations’ maritime capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the USCENTCOM area of responsibility. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 11 January, 2018 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Assistance, Military Assistance, Security
US Ambassador Elizabeth Richard and Commander of the U.S. Central Command, General Joseph Votel, met Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Following are Ambassador Richard and General Votel’s statements following the meeting: Ambassador Richard: “I am very pleased to have General Votel, the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, returning to Beirut, here with us today. We ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 13 December, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, Speeches, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, Partnership, US-Lebanese Relations
Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA) Ms. Heidi Grant visited Lebanon from November 7-10. Ms. Grant provides oversight and guidance for international policy and programs supporting national security objectives through political military affairs; security assistance programs; technology and information disclosure; and education and training. Her portfolio includes Foreign Military Sales ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 10 November, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Assistance, Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Today, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard, accompanied by Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Ms. Heidi Grant, met with LAF Commander Joseph Aoun to announce the U.S. Government’s reimbursement of $42.9 million for LAF Border Operations. The following are her remarks at the meeting: “Thank you General Aoun and thank you everybody for being ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 8 November, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, U.S.-Lebanon Relations
Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee (HAC), led a Congressional delegation visit to Lebanon on October 16-19. Representative Frelinghuysen was joined by fellow HAC member, Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX). During the visit, the delegation met with Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun. They discussed the effectiveness of U.S. ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 19 October, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
On September 29, 2017, Deputy Commander of United States Central Command Lieutenant General Charles Brown met with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Minister of Defense Yaacoub el-Sarraf, and Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces General Joseph Aoun to reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership and support the Lebanese Armed Forces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 30 September, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, Press Releases | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, Security Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
On September 7, Major General George Smith, the CENTCOM Director of Strategy, Plans, and Policy, met with General Joseph Aoun, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. Major General Smith offered his compliments to the LAF’s recent military success. General Smith also expressed his condolences to General Aoun for the fallen Lebanese Armed Forces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 9 September, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Military Assistance, Security, US-Lebanese Relations
It is wonderful to be back in Lebanon and here up in Arsal. We deeply value the relationship with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the work they are doing to keep Lebanon safe, as we’re seeing here today. I had good visits yesterday and this morning with President (Michel) Aoun, and with Prime Minister (Saad) ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 7 June, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases, Speeches | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, Security, US-Lebanese Relations
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph L. Votel is visiting Lebanon on June 6 to meet with Lebanese Armed Forces and government leaders to discuss key security issues. General Votel will reaffirm the U.S. government’s commitment to the Lebanese-American partnership to counter the threat of terrorism and support the Lebanese Armed Forces in their capacity ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 6 June, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, Security, US-Lebanese Relations
On behalf of the United States, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard today presented over 1000 machine guns to the Lebanese Armed Forces as part of the LAF’s ongoing efforts to improve border security. The equipment includes 800 heavy machine guns and another 320 crew-served weapons, adding to battle-tested equipment already in the hands of the LAF. The ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 5 May, 2017 | Topics: Ambassador, News, Press Releases, Speeches | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
A delegation headed by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) concluded a one-day visit to Lebanon today. During the visit, the delegation met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander General Joseph Aoun to discuss the close relationship and security cooperation between the United States and Lebanon. The delegation also visited the Bekaa Valley, ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 22 April, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, Press Releases | Tags: Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee (HAC), led a Congressional delegation visit to Lebanon on April 13-15. Representative Frelinghuysen was joined by fellow HAC member, Representative Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). During the visit, the delegation met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Minister of Defense Yaacoub Sarraf, Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 18 April, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Education, Military Assistance, Universities, US-Lebanese Relations
Representative Harold Rogers (R-KY) led a delegation of six Congressmen including Representatives David Price (D-NC), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), David Joyce (R-OH), and Evan Jenkins (R-WV) to visit Lebanon on April 12. The delegation met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Lebanese Armed Forces Commander Joseph Awn during their visit and discussed the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 12 April, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Acting Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs Tina Kaidanow concluded a one-day visit to Lebanon on January 25. Her visit came as the United States continued its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces, including the delivery on Monday of an additional $3.2 million in equipment for ground troops. Ambassador Kaidanow met with a range of ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 26 January, 2017 | Topics: Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Today, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard participated in a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of an armed Cessna aircraft to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), highlighting the U.S. commitment to Lebanon’s security. Ambassador Richard said the U.S. is proud to deliver this Cessna, the third in the LAF air force, and she reaffirmed the ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 19 December, 2016 | Topics: Ambassador, Press Releases, U.S. & Lebanon | Tags: Ambassador Richard, Military Assistance, US-Lebanese Relations
Major General Darsie Rogers, Commander for Special Operations Command Central Command is visiting Lebanon September 21-23 to observe U.S. forces partnering with Lebanese Armed Forces and to meet with Lebanese military leaders. MG Rogers’ visit highlights the ongoing professional relationship between U.S. forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces and especially the strong degree of training ...
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By U.S. Embassy Beirut | 21 September, 2016 | Topics: Events, Key Officials, News, Press Releases | Tags: Military Assistance, Security
