Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun (R) receiving US Navy Admiral Brad Cooper (C), Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), at the presidential palace in Baabda. AFP
According to the Lebanese presidency, Aoun told the visiting head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, that ongoing Israeli violations were obstructing the army’s full deployment in the south.
He also called on Cooper to reactivate the committee overseeing the ceasefire agreement reached last November.
Aoun stressed the need for continued US backing of the Lebanese armed forces, which he described as vital to maintaining security. The presidency quoted Cooper as reaffirming Washington’s support and praising the army’s role.
Separately, Lebanon’s army chief, Rudolf Heikal, held talks with Cooper on the country’s security situation and ways to strengthen the military amid deepening challenges.
US envoy Morgan Ortagus is also scheduled to visit Beirut for security-focused meetings with military officials.
According to Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, the delegation is expected to meet the ceasefire monitoring committee in Ras Naqoura and visit the South Litani command in Tyre.
Under heavy US pressure, Lebanon’s government last month ordered the army to draw up a plan to restrict weapons to the state authority by the end of the year.
The initiative is aimed primarily at disarming Hezbollah, following the US-brokered ceasefire—based on the 2006 United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701—that ended Israel’s full-scale war on Lebanon in November 2024.
Despite the truce, Israel has continued airstrikes on Lebanon and has kept troops in the south, maintaining control of five areas.
Hezbollah has repeatedly refused to surrender its arsenal, insisting that Israel must first withdraw from Lebanese territory before any discussion of disarmament can take place.
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