Discussions focused on the UK's support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire.
The Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Rodolphe Haykal, ended a two-day visit to the United Kingdom 24-26 June, his first official visit to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to further strengthen collaboration on shared priorities, including regional stability, border security, and institutional resilience.
During his visit, General Haykal held meetings with UK counterparts, including the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Sir Richard Knighton at the Ministry of Defence, and toured the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He also met with Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer and UK National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. Discussions focused on the UK's support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and progress towards a durable ceasefire, and the UK's readiness to support LAF deployment to the south.
The UK continues to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon. Since 2009, the UK has committed over £180 million to support Lebanon's internal and border security, including £69 million to the Internal Security Forces and more than £120 million to the Lebanese Armed Forces in training, equipment, and capacity-building programmes.
