Lieberman warns about Lebanese army strength

Minister of Israeli Military Affairs, Avigdor Lieberman met US Defense Secretary Mattis and Vice President Pence in Washington yesterday.

The US Defense Secretary held extensive talks with Lieberman in the Pentagon to discuss the security situation in the Middle East, according to the British website, bicom.org.

 The Defense Department said that “Lieberman shared his perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the region”.

According to Lieberman’s office, he raised concerns over the direction being taken by Lebanon’s new President Michel Aoun, who Lieberman said is “turning the Lebanese Army into part of the array of forces led by Hezbollah”. 

Lieberman called for “an active America in our region” in order to help “remove obstacles to stability in the Middle East”.

Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis said that Mattis reaffirmed “the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security now and in the future”.

Later in the day, Lieberman met Vice President Mike Pence at the White House. The White House said both leaders agreed to “counter threats posed by Iran”.

Pence underscored the “unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to upholding Israel’s qualitative military edge”.