Military Delegation in Washington to Discuss Security, Intelligence Coordination

A Lebanese military delegation recently arrived in Washington to discuss with senior officials security and intelligence coordination between the two countries.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Tuesday that the delegation arrived in the U.S. last week and kicked off its meeting with senior security meetings on Monday.

The daily reported that talks are focusing on security and intelligence coordination between the two countries amid the various threats confronting Lebanon, in particular the growing fears of terrorist groups.

The security situation in Lebanon has been steadily worsening, inflamed by the Syrian civil war, in particular after deadly clashes that broke out between the army and Islamist gunmen in the northeastern border town of Arsal on August 2 over the arrest of a member of the al-Qaida-affiliated al-Nusra Front.

The fighting ended with a ceasefire on August 7 but the militants kidnapped several troops and policemen.

The development prompted the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to pledge to bolster the army.

H.K.

M.T.