Naharnet

High-Ranking U.S. Military Official in Short Visit to Lebanon

Lieutenant General Raymond Thomas III, a senior official in the United States Army, arrived in Lebanon for a brief visit, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Thomas, the commander of Joint Special Operations Command, arrived in Lebanon at the head of a military delegation.

The purpose behind the visit is still unknown.

An Nahar newspaper reported that Thomas held talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.

Last week, media reports said that Army General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is expected to arrive in Lebanon during the upcoming days.

Earlier this month, Qahwaji attended a meeting for military leaders from more than 20 partner nations in the coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

However, a sharp debate emerged locally on whether Lebanon should enter the coalition and if its territories would be used to launch attacks on jihadists in neighboring country Syria.

John Allen, a retired four-star general and U.S. envoy to the coalition fighting Islamic State group, was expected to include Lebanon on his tour to the region.

Allen kicked off a visit to the Gulf countries on Monday.

H.K.

M.T.


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