Lebanese media outlets report that the United States has cancelled the planned visit of Lebanese Armed Forces commander Gen. Rudolf Haeckel to Washington, including all meetings arranged with American officials and the reception scheduled at the Lebanese Embassy. Some meetings were reportedly set for today.
According to Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed TV, the cancellation stems from Washington’s “dissatisfaction” with what it views as the Lebanese army’s “failure” to take any meaningful action to disarm Hezbollah. Al-Jadeed is one of Lebanon’s most influential networks and often criticizes the political establishment and long-standing parties.
Meanwhile, MTV Lebanon—known for its pro-Western line—reported from Washington that the US cancelled the visit after the Lebanese army issued a statement on Sunday condemning Israel. The statement accused “the Israeli enemy” of violating Lebanon’s sovereignty, undermining stability, and obstructing army deployment in the south, following claims from UNIFIL regarding Israeli fire near its forces.
According to MTV, Washington saw the statement as an attempt to blame Israel instead of focusing criticism on Hezbollah—at a time when Israel is considered a central US ally and the primary backer of Lebanon’s military assistance. Several prominent members of Congress were angered by the army’s position, triggering an internal debate about the future of American aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces.