LOC22:53
19:53 GMT
BEIRUT, March 23 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met Saturday with Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces Gen. Joseph Aoun to discuss the US-Lebanese security partnership as well as the political, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon.
The meeting gathered the Secretary's Assistant for Middle East Affairs David Hill and Acting Assistant David Satterfield, as well as the US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard, according to a statement from the General Command of the Lebanese Army.
The discussions dealt with how the US can further support the Lebanese Armed Forces in the combat against terrorism.
Pompeo reaffirmed the US commitment to bilateral counterterrorism, counter smuggling, and border control cooperation.
He praised, on his Twitters account, his just-ended visit to Beirut as very successful and thanked the Lebanese people and government for the hospitality offered to him. (end)
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