Lebanese army 'categorically denies' Florida meeting between Lebanese and Israeli officers

The Lebanese army on Monday denied news reports claiming one of its senior officers secretly met with an Israeli military officer in the US.

Al-Akhbar newspaper, which is close to the Hezbollah militant group, reported on Monday that Brigadier General George Saqr, the army’s Director of Planning, was dispatched to Tampa, Florida, ahead of the Lebanese army commander’s recent visit to the United States to arrange meetings for General Rodolphe Haykal.

The paper claimed that US military officers organised what it described as an "unprecedented military meeting" at a US base, bringing together Saqr and an Israeli army officer under the supervision and sponsorship of a senior US military officer.

"It was agreed to keep the matter confidential," Al-Akhbar said.

In a statement, Lebanon’s Army Command categorically denied such a meeting took place.

"A local newspaper published an article containing inaccurate information about a meeting between an officer in the Lebanese army and an officer from the Israeli military in the United States," the statement said.

"The army command categorically denies this report and affirms that the information contained in the article is entirely unfounded and not based on any facts. It also clarifies that all its meetings are conducted within the established legal and official frameworks, in a manner that safeguards Lebanon’s sovereignty and its supreme national interest," it added.

The statement called on "media outlets to exercise accuracy and responsibility when reporting on matters related to the military institution, and to refrain from publishing fabricated information during this sensitive period".

While the two states remain technically at war, Washington has pressured Lebanon to engage in direct political talks with Israel. Discussions are currently limited to a ceasefire monitoring committee which is expected to meet again later this month.

The committee includes US, French, Lebanese, Israeli, and UN military representatives.

While civilian representatives from Lebanon and Israel joined the committee's meetings in December, Washington is reportedly seeking to confine future talks to a tripartite committee of Lebanese and Israeli diplomats, headed by the United States.

Beirut has ruled out any move to normalise ties with Israel, insisting that Tel Aviv must first halt its attacks on Lebanon, withdraw from Lebanese territory, and release all Lebanese prisoners before discussions can advance.

Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that halted more than 13 years of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel frequently carries out strikes on parts of Lebanon it says are keeping the militant group weak.

Israeli forces occupy five strategic hilltops along the border in south Lebanon; Tel Aviv refuses to leave before Hezbollah is fully disarmed.

The Lebanese government has pledged to disarm the group and all other militants in the country, vowing to end military dualism and establish a state monopoly over all weapons.