LAF Commander’s meetings in Washington cancelled

On November 17, 2025, a scheduled visit to Washington by Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Rodolphe Haikal on November 18, 2025, was abruptly canceled after the United States administration halted all planned meetings in response to a recent statement issued by the Lebanese Army.

The Lebanese Embassy in Washington, which had prepared an official reception in Haikal’s honor, also canceled the event, leaving members of the Lebanese community, some of whom had traveled from across the country, surprised and disappointed.

A statement that triggered the diplomatic fallout

The possible cause of the cancellation seems to be Washington’s strong objection to the Army’s latest public position regarding heightened tensions along Lebanon’s southern border. On November 16, 2025, the LAF posted on its X account, “The Israeli enemy insists on violating Lebanese sovereignty, causing instability in Lebanon and hindering the completion of the Army’s deployment in the south. The latest of these condemned attacks was its targeting of a patrol of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on 16/11/2025.” It added that the “Army Command affirms that it is working in coordination with friendly countries to put an end to the continuous violations and breaches by the Israeli enemy, which require immediate action as they constitute a serious escalation.”

The US administration interpreted the statement as assigning blame to Israel while avoiding criticism of Hezbollah; an approach that diverged sharply from American expectations (which is the principal supporter of the LAF). The reaction in Washington was swift and pointed. Several influential members of Congress viewed the Army’s tone as signaling a reluctance to confront Hezbollah or distance the institution from positions that contradict US strategic priorities. This perception quickly escalated into a broader internal debate about the sustainability of American military assistance to Lebanon.

Within hours, Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (from South Carolina) and Joni Ernst (from Iowa) issued strong public rebukes, arguing that the Army’s statement undermined years of partnership and risked eroding bipartisan support for Lebanon’s military. The latter claimed that she is “disappointed by this statement,” adding that “the LAF are a strategic partner, and — as I discussed with the CHOD in August — Israel has given Lebanon a real opportunity to free itself from Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists.” However, Ernst stated, “Instead of seizing that opportunity and working together to disarm Hezbollah, the CHOD is shamefully directing blame at Israel.” Meanwhile, Graham (reposting his colleague’s X post) commented by saying, “It is clear that the Lebanese Chief Head of Defense -- because of a reference to Israel as the enemy and his weak almost non-existent effort to disarm Hezbollah -- is a giant setback for efforts to move Lebanon forward.” The GOP Senator concluding by saying that this “combination makes the Lebanese Armed Forces not a very good investment for America.”

As criticism mounted, all of Haikal’s scheduled meetings with administration officials, congressional leaders, and defense counterparts were removed from the agenda. Notifications were promptly issued to the Lebanese Embassy, which in turn canceled the official reception planned for the commander to meet members of the Lebanese diaspora.

US policy toward Lebanon under review?

Informed sources revealed that the issue has now been elevated to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who plays a central role in redefining the current administration’s approach to Lebanon. Rubio is expected to review the circumstances surrounding the Army’s statement, assess the broader impact on bilateral relations, and determine whether changes in policy or aid are warranted. His office, along with several committees at the State Department, is now responsible for evaluating the future framework of cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces.

According to these sources, Washington is increasingly linking its military support to the Army’s future positions on border security, the balance of power between state institutions and Hezbollah, and alignment with US regional priorities. Any rhetoric or actions that contradict American policy toward Israel, officials warned, will have immediate and tangible consequences for both aid and diplomatic engagement.

Tom Harb, Director of the American Mideast Coalition for Democracy, echoed this sentiment, noting that the “Trump administration is frustrated with the Lebanese government and the Army, and all meetings scheduled in Washington tomorrow for Army Commander Rodolphe Hjeil have been canceled.”

A significant setback for bilateral military ties

The sudden halt to the Army Commander’s visit represents one of the most significant diplomatic setbacks for the Lebanese Armed Forces in recent years.

Traditionally holding bipartisan support, the Army now faces growing scrutiny at a moment when regional tensions continue to escalate. Going forward, the durability of American assistance, and the broader relationship, will depend heavily on how the Army positions itself on sensitive political and security issues in the weeks and months ahead; especially with regarding disarming Hezbollah and achieving state monopoly concerning arms acquisition.