Army Commander, Rodolph Haykal, received in his office in Yarzeh the President and CEO of the American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL), Edward Gabriel, accompanied by a delegation. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The American Task Force for Lebanon (ATFL) delegation, led by Ambassador Edward Gabriel, had separate meetings with Army Commander, Rodolph Haykal, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported Thursday.
Haykal received in his office in Yarzeh Gabriel and the accompanying delegation where "the discussion covered the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as ways to support the Lebanese Army and the challenges it is currently facing amid the prevailing circumstances."
Last month, Haykal's visit to the U.S. was canceled allegedly due to US frustration with the Lebanese Army's slow progress on disarming Hezbollah, however U.S. ambassador Michel Issa said Wednesday that Haykal's next visit to the U.S. remains in the planning phase, with no confirmed date yet. Issa said the trip would allow Haykal “to deliver a direct message to U.S. officials.”
Since the Cabinet decision on Aug. 5 for the army to establish the state’s monopoly on arms, Hezbollah has refused to hand over its arsenal as long as Israeli attacks and occupation continue in the South.
Tasked by the government in September with outlining and implementing a plan to disarm Hezbollah, the army says it has completed most of the first phase of operations in the area south of the Litani River, set to continue through the end of the year.
Salam received Gabriel, heading a delegation from the organization, along with the U.S. Ambassador to Beirut, Michel Issa, NNA reported without noting what was discussed in the meeting. Salam's government has repeatedly pushed for the rapid disarmament of Hezbollah.
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Joumblatt also received at his Clemenceau residence Gabriel, accompanied by a delegation from the organization. "The discussion addressed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as the challenges Lebanon is currently facing amid the prevailing circumstances," NNA reported without giving further details.
On Thursday, Gabriel and the accompanying delegation held separate meetings with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea to discuss Washington’s view of Lebanon, U.S.–Lebanese relations, regional developments, and the latest negotiations and security measures in southern Lebanon
Gabriel had said that the task force is hosting a group of Washington-based experts specializing in Lebanese policy, including former U.S. ambassadors to Lebanon and representatives from think tanks and policy institutions. He said the group looks forward to further meetings later this week.
Israel continues attacks on southern Lebanon, demolishes buildings in Bint Jbeil