Key Points
- Focus placed on expanding training, professional military exchanges and cooperation
- Pakistan reaffirms commitment to strengthening longstanding defence ties with Lebanon
ISLAMABAD: General Rodolphe Haykal, Commander-in-Chief of the Lebanese Armed Forces, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Monday and discussed regional security.
Upon arrival at the military headquarters, the visiting Lebanese army chief was presented a Guard of Honour by a tri-services contingent comprising personnel from Pakistan’s Army, Navy and Air Force.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s armed forces, both sides exchanged views on the evolving regional security environment. They also discussed matters of mutual interest, and avenues to expand defence cooperation between Pakistan and Lebanon, an ISPR statement added.
The discussions focused on strengthening professional military engagement, expanding training cooperation, and enhancing institutional linkages between the two armed forces.
The Pakistan Army chief renewed the importance Islamabad attaches to its historical and friendly relations with Beirut. He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to deepening defence collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
General Haykal appreciated the professionalism and operational capabilities of the Pakistan Armed Forces, noting their contributions to regional stability and United Nations peacekeeping missions.
“During the meeting, both dignitaries exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional security environment, defence cooperation and prospects for enhancing bilateral military relations, reads the statement.
“The discussions focused on strengthening professional interactions, training cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries,” it adds.
“Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding and cordial relations with Lebanon and underscored the Pakistan Army’s commitment to expanding defence collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces,” the ISPR stated.
General Rodolphe Haykal appreciated the professionalism and operational excellence of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions to regional peace, stability and international peacekeeping efforts.
The visit reflects the shared commitment of both armed forces to fostering closer military-to-military cooperation.
The visit coincides with the Pakistan-led efforts to mediate a peace deal between Iran and the United States of America. It becomes more important after Iran has attached a Lebanon-Israel ceasefire to the potential deal with the US as a precondition.
