Tampa: US Marine Corps Forces, Central Command (MARCENT) hosted a bilateral security summit attended by senior leaders from the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, on January 29-30. LAF leaders briefed US military leadership on regional security matters, including operational updates and progress toward the army's disarmament plan, said a statement from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday. According to Kuwait News Agency, the security summit also supported ongoing dialogue associated with the Cessation of Hostilities Supervisory Committee, commonly referred to as the Mechanism. Established in November 2024, the Mechanism is a multinational supervisory committee responsible for monitoring, verifying, and providing direct deconfliction between the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces. Lt.-Gen. Joseph Clearfield, MARCENT commander and chairman of the Mechanism, led discussions focused on military cooperation and the importance of the Mechanism. "As MAR CENT continues to play a central role in the Mechanism, these discussions with our partners will remain a critical part of our efforts," said Clearfield. "We are committed to durable peace and stability in the region," he added.
