NNA - During his visit to Washington, member of the Lebanese Forces Executive Committee Joseph Jebaily held several meetings with officials at the White House, the US State Department, and research centers to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon.

To this end, Jebaily held a lengthy meeting with US Presidential Envoy Amos Hochstein and the officials in charge of the Lebanese file at the Near East Bureau at the US State Department.

Discussions focused on the efforts exerted by the US administration to reach a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and extend the authority of the Lebanese state by deploying the Lebanese army and security forces throughout Lebanon's territories, particularly in the south and at all border crossings.

During these meetings, emphasis was made on the necessity of keeping weapons exclusively in the hands of the legitimate Lebanese forces that are solely capable of defending Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Jebaily also held talks with Dr. Massad Boulos, who is following up closely on issues related to Lebanon and the region after assuming responsibility for President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign with the Lebanese and Arab communities.

Jebaily's meetings in the US capital also included a series of encounters and contacts with a number of American-Lebanese organizations, especially the American Task Force for Lebanon, and several Lebanese figures, diplomats and research centers.

============R.Sh.