Aoun and Issa discuss developments and Haykal's visit to US

President Joseph Aoun met Friday with U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa to discuss the recent developments and the results of Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal’s visit to Washington.

“They further discussed preparations for the conference to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, scheduled for March 5 in Paris, in which the United States will participate. A preparatory meeting will precede the conference to coordinate positions, particularly as President Aoun's attendance alongside (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron lends it significant importance,” the Presidency said.

The meeting also addressed regional developments and the meeting between Iran and the United States in Muscat.

Al-Arabiya meanwhile reported that the meeting had been previously scheduled and was not arranged hastily or in light of Haykal’s stormy meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington.

The army commander will for his part visit Baabda within the next 48 hours to brief Aoun on the results of his meetings with American officials. He will arrive in Beirut in the coming hours, coming from Washington.