Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Lebanon and the United States have intensified military
cooperation amid the revolt in neighboring Syria.

Lebanon and the United States have convened a series of high-level
military talks in 2012 in an effort to help border security for the Arab
state. In the latest meeting, U.S. Fifth Fleet commander Vice Adm. Mark Fox
arrived in Beirut on Feb. 21 for consultations with Lebanese Navy commander
Rear Adm. Nazih Baroudi.

“In his meetings, Vice Adm. Fox emphasized the strong and sustained naval cooperation between the two countries,” the U.S. embassy said.

This marked the fourth high-level military cooperation talks between Beirut and Washington in 2012. Officials said the meetings were part of a U.S. effort to press the Lebanese military to curb Iranian and Syrian influence amid the Sunni revolt against President Bashar Assad.

“Washington has tried to persuade Lebanon that the revolt marks a huge opportunity to free itself of Iranian and Syrian dominance,” an official said.

The administration of President Barack Obama has pledged to export major military assets to the Lebanese military. The Lebanese Navy was scheduled to
receive its first U.S.-origin patrol boat in the summer of 2012.

On Feb. 16, U.S. special envoy Frederic Hof urged Lebanese leaders to
prevent another crisis with neighboring Israel. Lebanon’s
Hizbullah-dominated government, claiming the prospects as part of its
territorial waters, has threatened Israel’s new natural gas exploration and
development projects.

“Mr. Hof encouraged Lebanon to continue its engagement to resolve its
maritime boundaries,” the U.S. embassy said. “He supported the development
of offshore oil and gas reserves in a manner that contributes to peace,
stability, and prosperity.”

Three days earlier, Lebanon and the United States reviewed military
cooperation for 2012. Washington was represented by U.S. Central Command
training director Maj. Gen. Benjamin Bartlett, who met Lebanese Chief of
Staff Gen. Jean Kahwaji.

“Gen. Bartlett renewed the United States’ commitment to a stable,
sovereign and independent Lebanon,” the U.S. embassy said. “He underscored
U.S. Centcom’s support in strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed
Forces, recognizing its importance in serving as Lebanon’s sole legitimate
defense force to secure Lebanon’s borders and defend the sovereignty and
independence of the state.”

  Barack Obama, Bashar Assad, Gen. Jean Kahwaji, Iran, Rear Adm. Nazih Baroudi, special envoy Frederic Hof, Syrian influence, U.S. Central Command, U.S. military assets to Lebanon, U.S. military pressing Lebanon on ‘opportunity’ to disengage from Syria, Vice Adm. Mark Fox