Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren ends a two-day visit to Lebanon
Vice Admiral AhlgrenĀ reiterated theĀ UKās continued diplomatic efforts to prevent a widening of the conflict in Lebanon.
Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren with President Aoun.
The UK Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon fromĀ 23-24 March.āÆ
During the visit, Vice Admiral Ahlgren held meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime minister Nawaf Salam, Defence Minister Michel Manassa, and Commander of the Lebanese Army General Rodolph Haykal. He was accompanied by British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell and Defence AttachƩ Lt. Colonel Charles Smith.
Throughout the visit, Vice Admiral AhlgrenĀ reiterated theĀ UKās continued diplomatic efforts to prevent a widening of the conflict in Lebanon, which is already causing massĀ displacement andĀ significant civilian casualties.Ā Ā
He welcomedĀ recentĀ commitments made by the Government of Lebanon, including for direct negotiations with Israel andĀ banningĀ ofĀ all military activity by Hizballah.Ā Ā
He underscoredĀ the UKās condemnation of Hizballah, for drawing the people of Lebanon into a conflict they do notĀ wantĀ and that isĀ againstĀ their interests.Ā Vice Admiral Ahlgren also emphasisedĀ theĀ UKās continued support to the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon.
At the end of the visit, British Ambassador Hamish Cowell said:Ā
The situation in Lebanon isĀ very concerningĀ as the country is once again dragged into conflict and suffering against the will of the Government andĀ the vast majority ofĀ Lebanese people.Ā The UK stands ready to support all initiatives which work towards de-escalation.
Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren said:Ā
The people of Lebanon are once againĀ beingĀ drawnĀ into a conflict they do notĀ want,Ā and which is not in their interests.Ā We will continue to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon and the Lebanese Government to assume full responsibility for security.
Since 2009, the UK has contributed over Ā£180mĀ to support Lebanonās security āĀ overĀ Ā£69mĀ to the Internal Security Forces and over Ā£120m to the Lebanese Armed Forces in kit,Ā training,Ā and equipment. Lebanonās future stability and security are crucial to regional stability.