The Lebanese-American Coordination Committee (LACC) conducted a tour in Washington, D.C. and held a series of meetings as part of its ongoing efforts to support the Lebanese cause.
During a meeting with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Natasha Franceschi, the committee was informed that despite budget cuts under the Trump administration, the Lebanese Army would continue to receive the necessary support.
Franceschi also emphasized that “the more the Lebanese Army demonstrates its commitment to implementing the ceasefire agreement, the more countries like the United States could continue their assistance,” according to a statement released by the LACC on Tuesday.
During a meeting with Colin Brooks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, it was also stressed that “the Lebanese Army must first prove its ability to collect all weapons and ammunition outside the state's legitimacy before requesting additional US support.”
Discussions with Congressman Darin LaHood focused on the importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. According to the statement, pressure within Congress to secure additional aid for Lebanon's constitutional, military and security institutions would depend on the Lebanese government’s ability to enforce Resolution 1701.
Meanwhile, Congressman Darrell Issa, along with two other representatives, announced their intention to make repeated visits to Lebanon to ensure the full implementation of Resolution 1701.
Furthermore, Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Envoy of the US President for the Middle East, reaffirmed to the committee that Donald Trump is committed to achieving comprehensive peace in the region.
The committee also submitted a working document to the permanent missions of Switzerland, the Vatican, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States at the UN Security Council, as well as to the Middle East Affairs Office of the UN Secretary-General.
This document outlines the main challenges facing Lebanon under the following key areas: security and sovereignty; judicial, economic and financial reform; sovereign border control and the elimination of all illegal weapons; Lebanon’s positioning amid geopolitical challenges.
In the document, the committee emphasizes that Lebanon’s new political leadership “represents a crucial opportunity to end decades of political stagnation, economic mismanagement and Hezbollah’s unchecked dominance. The weakening of Hezbollah, the fall of the Assad regime and the decline of Iranian influence offer Lebanon a historic window to restore its sovereignty and stability.”
According to the LACC, “this opportunity will be lost if the Lebanese government, without strong international support, fails to take decisive measures to disarm all non-state actors, implement reforms and restore state control. A stable and democratic Lebanon is an essential pillar of cooperation with the United States.”
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