US and French generals inspect 5th Brigade ops in the south

U.S. Major General Jasper Jeffers, Chairman of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism, accompanied by French Brigadier General Guillaume Ponchin, visited the headquarters of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) 5th Brigade in southwest Lebanon on Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the U.S. Embassy.

The 5th Brigade’s headquarters is located approximately five kilometers northeast of Naqoura, a town recently placed under LAF control following the initial phase of the Israeli forces’ withdrawal on January 6.

As part of the transition facilitated by the Mechanism, the LAF promptly deployed troops to the region to secure the area, clear roads, remove unauthorized munitions, and ensure the safety of the local population, the Embassy’s statement detailed.

During their visit, Generals Jeffers and Ponchin inspected stockpiles of weapons confiscated from unauthorized armed groups, which are scheduled to be destroyed in the coming days.

Major General Jeffers praised the efforts of the LAF, emphasizing their role as Lebanon’s legitimate security force. He highlighted the LAF’s demonstrated capability, intent, and leadership in maintaining the country’s security and defending its people.

He specifically commended the swift and professional actions of the LAF, noting the expertise displayed by the soldiers of the 5th Brigade. He lauded the engineer corps, which safely removes and neutralizes hundreds of unexploded ordnance pieces each week, showcasing their dedication and professionalism in ensuring the safety of the region.