By Mahadi Tukur Almizan
BEIRUT – 19 November 2025
The United States has abruptly canceled a planned visit by Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) commander Rudolphe Haikal to Washington after the Lebanese army issued a statement condemning Israeli attacks and ceasefire violations, Lebanese media reported on Tuesday.
According to Al Jadeed TV and MTV, all official meetings scheduled for Haikal in Washington were canceled without prior notice, while the Lebanese embassy also withdrew arrangements for an official reception. The move reportedly followed U.S. objections to the LAF’s 16 November statement accusing Israel of repeated violations of Lebanese sovereignty and targeting a UNIFIL patrol in the south.
U.S. Anger Over LAF Statement
Reports say Washington was displeased that the Lebanese army “blamed Israel” for current border tensions while making no reference to Hezbollah’s activities. Congressional figures, particularly Senators Lindsey Graham and Joni Ernst, criticized the LAF leadership publicly, calling the army’s position a “setback” to U.S. interests in Lebanon.
Graham wrote on X that the LAF’s stance makes it “not a very good investment for America,” while Ernst claimed Israel had offered Lebanon “an opportunity” to weaken Hezbollah, accusing Haikal of “shamefully directing blame at Israel.”
MTV reported that the dispute has now been escalated directly to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is believed to be leading a reassessment of Washington’s military aid and overall policy toward Lebanon.
Strikes Continue in South Lebanon
The diplomatic fallout coincides with renewed Israeli drone strikes in southern Lebanon.
On Tuesday, a strike on Bint Jbeil killed Ali Shaaito, an employee of the Bint Jbeil Municipalities Union. Another drone attack targeted an excavator in the village of Blida. Israeli violations along the Blue Line have intensified despite the ceasefire deal reached in late 2024.
Hezbollah Disarmament Plan Under Pressure
The LAF has been implementing a U.S.-backed plan to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure south of the Litani River, part of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement. But Hezbollah continues to reject the Lebanese cabinet’s August order—adopted under U.S. pressure—calling for the group’s full disarmament by the end of 2025.
The resistance movement says it is open to discussing the integration of its arms into a national defense strategy only after Israel ends its attacks and withdrawals from occupied Lebanese territory.
Sources say Haikal recently proposed suspending the disarmament plan until Israel respects the ceasefire and halts its daily strikes. Lebanese media earlier reported that Haikal may resign if pressured to deploy the LAF against Hezbollah, warning such an order could drag Lebanon into civil conflict.
U.S. Seeks Stronger LAF Role Against Hezbollah
Washington has repeatedly stated that it expects the Lebanese army to confront Hezbollah if necessary. U.S. officials have also echoed Israeli threats of war should Hezbollah refuse to surrender its missile capabilities.
The canceled visit marks the most serious diplomatic rift between Beirut and Washington since the implementation of the 2024 ceasefire, raising questions over the future of U.S. military assistance to the LAF as border tensions continue to escalate.