Netherlands emphasizes necessity of supporting Lebanese army to fulfill its duties

By Abdelsalam Fayez

BEIRUT (AA) – The Netherlands affirmed Thursday the necessity to support the Lebanese army to carry out tasks.

Lebanese Army Comdr. Joseph Aoun received in Beirut the Dutch Defense Kajsa Ollongren and Chief of Defense Onno Eichelsheim, according to a statement from the army.

The Dutch delegation emphasized “the importance of the role of the military institution in maintaining the security and stability of Lebanon, and the necessity of supporting it to continue carrying out its duties effectively and professionally," according to the same source.

Ollongren met her Egyptian counterpart, Mohamed Zaki, in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss military cooperation between the two countries and regional and international developments.

The visit by the Dutch delegation to Lebanon coincides with tensions on the border since Oct. 8 with Israel, which has witnessed the exchange of fire between the Israeli army on one side and Hezbollah and Palestinian factions on the other. The fighting has led to casualties on both sides.

These clashes follow the war that the Israeli army has been conducting in Gaza since Oct. 7, resulting in thousands of fatalities and injuries.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala