Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has underscored Pakistan Army’s commitment to expanding defence collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the military’s media wing said.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of Lebanese Armed Forces General Rodolphe Haykal during a meeting in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
CDF Munir reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding and cordial relations with Lebanon.
General Haykal appreciated the professionalism and operational excellence of the Pakistan Armed Forces and acknowledged their contributions to regional peace, stability and international peacekeeping efforts.
During the meeting, both dignitaries exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional security environment, defence cooperation and prospects for enhancing bilateral military relations.
The discussions focused on strengthening professional interactions, training cooperation and institutional linkages between the armed forces of the two countries.
Haykal left Lebanon for Pakistan on Saturday, with a source telling AFP the visit is linked to broader Iran-US talks.
In a statement, the army said Haykal, “left Lebanon for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart”.
A source with knowledge of the matter told AFP Haykal’s visit is “linked to the Pakistani mediation to resolve” issues between the United States and Iran who are negotiating an end to the Middle East regional war.
“Lebanon is critical part of the negotiations,” the source added, requesting anonymity.
Lebanon was drawn into the war when Hezbollah attacked Israel on March 2 to avenge the February 28 US-Israeli killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
Israel responded with an extensive campaign of airstrikes and a ground invasion that have killed nearly 3,600 people, and exchanges of fire with Hezbollah have not stopped despite an ongoing truce.
Iran insists Lebanon be included in any agreement with the United States to end the regional war.