AiBotBeirut, Lebanon – The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have responded to recent statements made by the US Treasury, expressing their discontent over being unexpectedly included in a list of sanctioned entities. In a carefully worded statement, the LAF command emphasized the importance of official communication channels in avoiding any misunderstandings or miscommunications.
The statement, issued in response to a US Treasury announcement, underscored the professionalism and discipline with which LAF officers and personnel execute their national duties. The LAF command stressed that all military personnel are committed to upholding the highest standards of responsibility and loyalty to the country.
The US Treasury, in its statement, identified LAF entities as being subject to sanctions, citing alleged ties with Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shi’ite Islamist group blacklisted by Washington as a terrorist organization. However, the LAF refuted any involvement in such activities, stressing that their primary objective remains to maintain national security and stability.
The LAF’s response comes at a time of heightened tensions between the US and Lebanon, with both countries holding differing views on various regional issues, including the Israeli-Lebanese border and the influence of Hezbollah within Lebanese politics. Lebanon’s fragile economy, already reeling from a severe financial crisis, may be further strained by the sanctions imposed by the US Treasury.
The Lebanese government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. In an effort to mitigate potential damage to the country’s fragile social and economic landscape, President Michel Aoun has urged all parties to exercise restraint.
The US Treasury’s sanctions against Lebanese military entities drew widespread condemnation from Beirut-based diplomatic missions, with several governments, including Russia and France, expressing concern over the implications of such measures on regional stability.
In its statement, the LAF maintained its commitment to neutrality, asserting that it will continue to uphold its fundamental duty to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty and preserve national unity. The development has prompted concerns about the potential for retaliatory actions from the Lebanese government, which has long maintained a strategic relationship with the US.
Lebanon and the United States have traditionally enjoyed strong ties, with Washington providing substantial financial aid to Lebanon following the country’s destructive civil war. However, tensions between the two countries have escalated in recent years, especially over US accusations that Hezbollah was involved in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. These allegations have strained bilateral relations and raised concerns about the future of US involvement in Lebanon.