November 6, 2021
Top US military general meets Lebanese Army commander, Pentagon reaffirms support
Senate committee advances Biden nominee for Middle East policy
France says Lebanon should be ‘shielded’ from Middle East crises
Top US military general meets Lebanese Army commander, Pentagon reaffirms support
The top US military general met with the Lebanese Armed Forces commander on Thursday, with the Pentagon reaffirming its support for the Lebanese army. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley met with Gen. Joseph Aoun at the Pentagon, Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Dave Butler said. “Gen. Milley and other DoD [Department of Defense] officials reaffirmed the US Government’s strong support for the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Butler added. Discussions touched on a range of issues, “including shared challenges and ways to increase coordination in areas of mutual interest.” [Al Arabiya]
RESPONSE
“General Youssef Aoun and his team met with senior officials in the Administration and leaders in the Congress who expressed praise for the LAF’s efforts in protecting the territorial integrity of Lebanon and in supporting Lebanon’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other humanitarian efforts following the August 4, 2020 explosion. Importantly, US officials were sympathetic to the need for the LAF to meet the social welfare needs of its troops, and, although the US cannot provide direct support for LAF troops, they offered to lead international efforts to help find solutions to address these concerns. They also mentioned the need for the LAF to observe the human rights of peaceful demonstrators.”
-ATFL President Edward M. Gabriel
Senate committee advances Biden nominee for Middle East policy
“The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations confirmed a Biden administration nominee for a top Middle East policy post on Wednesday.
The nomination of Barbara Leaf to be assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs passed the committee at today’s business meeting. Leaf is a career diplomat who previously served as US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and is presently Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Middle East and North Africa Affairs on the National Security Council. Leaf will next face a vote before the whole Senate at a yet-to-be-determined date. Several other Biden nominations, including many ambassadorships, were also advanced by the committee.
Some Republicans voted against Leaf’s nomination, including ranking member Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.” [Al Monitor]
RESPONSE
“A Senate confirmation hearing for senior level State Department officials Barbara Leaf and Tamara Cofman Wittes exposed disagreements between several senators and the Biden administration. The most dangerous complaint was those who take issue with the recently completed deals to provide energy supplies from Egypt and Jordan through Syria to Lebanon. Lebanon cannot afford to fail, and by having the World Bank provide a loan to Lebanon to purchase the supplies brings a monitoring system that will ensure their transit and not strengthen the Assad regime. Rather than punish Lebanon to make political points, reluctant Senators should support longer-term solutions that enhance regional stability and integration.”
-ATFL Vice President for Policy Jean AbiNader
France says Lebanon should be ‘shielded’ from Middle East crises
France said on Thursday that Lebanon needed to be shielded from regional crises and that it was paramount that core actors across the zone needed to play their part in helping to get Beirut to implement reforms and get it out of its quagmire.
France’s foreign ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday that it was in contact with all parties and urged Lebanese officials and regional powers to calm the situation. [Jerusalem Post]
RESPONSE
“Whether it was channeling the Patriarch or reflecting recent coordinated messages with the US, the French Foreign Ministry is on target with its statement. Lebanon is challenged by the influence of external actors in its domestic affairs, and is unable to take a forward-leaning approach to working with its neighbors to secure its sovereignty. Yes, the Lebanese are ultimately responsible for their independence, but, as the recent conflict over with Gulf countries demonstrates, this continues to be aspirational rather than factual. It is in the best interests of the Arab countries that Lebanon’s sovereignty be secured. This is a reality that needs to be remembered and strengthened.”
-ATFL Vice President for Policy Jean AbiNader
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the American Task Force on Lebanon, a non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization of Lebanese-Americans.