Lebanese delegation to the Pentagon: the army denies any confessional distribution

The Lebanese army on Thursday denied the information relayed by certain media and on social networks concerning the composition of the military delegation called to participate in the negotiations planned at the Pentagon on May 29, in particular those relating to a supposed confessional distribution of officers.

In a press release, the army command considered that these allegations “in no way reflect the principles of the military institution”. He also underlined that the delegation, “whatever its composition, remains attached to national constants”, specifying that the designated officers “represent the nation and remain faithful to the doctrine of the army”.

The command finally recalled that the elements of the institution “execute the decisions of the command as part of their commitment to national duty”.

On May 15, the US State Department announced, following a second day of direct talks, that Lebanon and Israel had agreed to extend the ceasefire by 45 days. The spokesperson for American diplomacy, Tommy Pigott, also indicated that a “political aspect” of the negotiations would be reconvened on June 2 and 3, while a “security aspect” would be launched at the Pentagon on May 29 with military delegations from both country.