President Joseph Aoun and the Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Army, Rodolph Haykal, in Baabda on Aug. 28, 2026. (Credit: X account of the Lebanese presidency)
BEIRUT — President Joseph Aoun received Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal for an audience Friday at the Baabda Presidential Palace.
The two men discussed the security situation in south Lebanon, where Israel continues its attacks and destruction against villages and localities it occupies.
Gen. Haykal also informed the president of the outcome of his visit to Italy. He met in particular with Gen. Luciano Portolano, chief of staff of the Italian army, to discuss strengthening military cooperation between Lebanon and Italy, support for the Lebanese Army, and the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate ends at the end of 2026, according to a statement issued by the army.
Gen. Haykal also held talks with Antonio Tajani, deputy prime minister and Italian foreign minister, with Secretary of State of the Holy See Pietro Parolin, and met with officials from the Italian military industry.
Joseph Aoun had also traveled to Italy one week earlier.
