US abruptly cancels Lebanese army commander’s visit after statement on Israel

On Tuesday, the US abruptly cancelled the scheduled visit of Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal to Washington, DC.

This came in response to a statement by the Lebanese army calling Israel its “enemy” and accusing it of violating “Lebanese sovereignty” after Israel’s attack on two Unifil peacekeepers in south Lebanon on Sunday.

On Monday, US senators Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst criticised the Lebanese army.

Senator Ernst said she was “disappointed” by the Lebanese army’s statement and that it was “shamefully directing blame at Israel”.

Senator Graham said the Lebanese army’s reference to Israel as “the enemy” and “almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah” makes the Lebanese Armed Forces “not a very good investment for America”.


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