BEIRUT: The US administration on Tuesday abruptly canceled the scheduled meetings in Washington of Gen. Rodolphe Haykal, the Lebanese army commander.
The decision was made just hours before his planned departure and despite extensive preparations for the visit.
The Lebanese Embassy in Washington announced the cancellation of a reception that had been arranged in honor of the army commander, expressing appreciation for guests’ understanding and saying it would inform them of a new date once set, without offering the Lebanese community any further explanation.
The Lebanese administration viewed the move as a strongly worded message to the Lebanese army, especially as several US senators had directly criticized the army commander.
Haykal was set to meet many senior officials, including representatives from the White House, members of the Congress, and military leaders.
A military source said that the visit’s cancellation was reportedly linked to the Lebanese army’s statement last Sunday regarding the Israeli army’s gunfire targeting UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon.
In a post on X on Sunday, the army had accused “the Israeli enemy, which insists on violating Lebanese sovereignty, (of) destabilizing the country, and obstructing the army’s full deployment in the south.”
According to the source, this statement prompted discussions within Congress about “the advisability of continuing aid to the Lebanese army.”
The source told Arab News that the US had many concerns regarding the Lebanese army’s performance, including “its failure to progress on its assigned tasks related to adequately addressing Hezbollah.”
The source added: “The US is also dissatisfied with the positions adopted by the command, including the insistence on describing Israel as the enemy.”
Sen. Joni Ernst, a retired military officer, posted on X: “Disappointed by this statement from (the Lebanese army). The LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) are a strategic partner, and — as I discussed with the CHOD (chief head of defense) in August — Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists. Instead of seizing that opportunity and working together to disarm Hezbollah, the CHOD is shamefully directing blame at Israel.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham also posted on X, saying: “It is clear that the Lebanese chief head of defense — because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah — is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward. This combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a very good investment for America.”
Meanwhile, Tom Harb, a Republican Party member of Lebanese origin, said on X: “The Trump administration is frustrated with the Lebanese government and army. They have canceled all scheduled meetings in Washington, D.C., for Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal tomorrow, and the Lebanese Embassy in D.C. had to cancel a planned reception in his honor.”
He thanked Graham “for taking notice of the Lebanese army’s behavior and the Lebanese government’s unwillingness to take action against Hezbollah and to implement UNSCR 1559 — instead just blaming Israel.”
He said Graham had “made the right decision” by canceling the meeting with Haykal, and added: “Our tax money must provide a return on investment in Lebanon. Hopefully, President Joseph Aoun will read the Trump administration very well and replace the head of the army with someone willing to get the job done soon!”
Lebanese political officials avoided commenting on the US action, with an official source telling Arab News that “the matter concerns the Lebanese army.”
A Lebanese military source said: “The military institution has decided to contain what happened by not amplifying the issue in order to preserve the interests of the army.”
The source reiterated that the Lebanese army was carrying out all its missions in accordance with its plan to restrict weapons on Lebanese territory to the state.
He said the army “is continuing its mission south of the Litani River wisely and within the deadline it has set for the end of the year, following which it will carry out its mission north of the Litani River, implementing the political authority’s decisions.”
Haykal had previously indicated in two Cabinet sessions, while briefing on the army’s achievements south of the Litani River, that Israel had been pressuring the army to enter the homes of southern residents in search of weapons belonging to Hezbollah — a demand that Haykal rejected. He also pointed to Israeli attacks that were hindering the Lebanese army’s field operations.
Investors’ conference
In parallel with political and military developments, Beirut’s waterfront has hosted the Beirut One conference called “Beirut is Rising Again.”
Prominent Lebanese and Arab investors, notably a delegation from Saudi Arabia, attended the event which was held under the patronage of the Lebanese president who emphasized in his speech “Lebanon’s openness to its Arab and international surroundings.”
He stressed that “Lebanon must restore its natural role as an economic and cultural player in the region, a bridge between East and West, and a platform for interaction and cooperation between companies, investors, and development institutions.”
Aoun underscored that Lebanon had embarked on “a path of real reforms,” noting that the government had taken serious steps to rebuild state institutions on solid foundations, and reinforce internal security.
He said: “Investors who come to Lebanon must be assured that their protection is not subject to political whims, but rather firmly rooted in the law.”
He added: “We do not seek temporary calm, but sustainable stability,” emphasizing that the reforms that the government was undertaking were not easy.
“We are facing resistance from within the system itself, as real change affects entrenched interests, yet we remain steadfast,” Aoun said.
