Murr in Washington … U.S. Security Support to Lebanon Ahead of Elections
Military and security assistance to Lebanon will be the focus of discussions in Washington on Tuesday between Defense Minister Elias Murr and senior U.S. officials.
Local media said Murr is scheduled to meet Tuesday with President Barack Obama”s Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan.
They said the two sides will discuss ways to bolster security and strengthen Lebanese-U.S. relations.
The daily An Nahar said Murr”s trip penned a "message of support" to the Lebanon government ahead of the June 7 parliamentary elections.
Murr arrived in Washington on Monday in response to an invitation by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
He is also expected to meet, in addition to Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and senior U.S. officers.
On Wednesday, Murr will meet with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen and Gen. David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command.
An Nahar said it is likely that the U.S. will announce the arrival of heavy military assistance to Lebanon, including M-60 tanks, in the two months ahead of Election Day.
It said Murr will discuss military ties between the two countries with State Department official David Hale and Colin Kahl, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle Eastern Affairs.