Lebanese Army Commander Concludes Official Visit to the United Kingdom

Brigadier General Rudolf Heikal, Commander of the Lebanese Army, concluded a two-day official visit to the United Kingdom from June 24 to 26, marking his first trip to the country. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation on shared priorities, including regional stability, border security, and enhancing institutional resilience.

During his stay, Brigadier General Heikal held meetings with his British counterparts, including Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of Defence Staff at the UK Ministry of Defence. He also visited the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Additionally, he met with the UK Minister for the Middle East, Haimish Falconer, and British National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell. Discussions centered on the UK’s support for the Lebanese Army, progress toward a sustainable ceasefire, and the UK's readiness to assist the Lebanese Army’s deployment in the south.

The United Kingdom continues to back the Lebanese Army as the sole legitimate entity authorized to defend Lebanon. Since 2009, the UK has allocated over £180 million to support internal security and border protection in Lebanon, including £69 million for the Internal Security Forces and more than £120 million dedicated to the Lebanese Army through training, equipment, and capacity-building programs.