Israel Begins Withdrawing Forces from Lebanon During Top US General’s Visit to Beirut
Israeli troops officially began their withdrawal from occupied parts of Lebanon today and were replaced by Lebanese soldiers, the US military said on Wednesday.
“This is an important first step in the implementation of a lasting cessation of hostilities and lays the foundation for continued progress,” the top US military general for the Middle East said.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of the United States Central Command, visited Beirut to meet with the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).
The meeting was also joined by US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the co-chair of the implementation and monitoring mechanism for the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.
Kurilla and LAF Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun also spoke about the security situation in Syria, its impact on regional stability, and ways to boost military ties between the LAF and CENTCOM.
Kurilla also went to the monitoring headquarters in southern Lebanon to watch the first Israeli pullout and LAF replacement in Al Khiam.
