UK Vice Admiral Ahlgren meets Lebanese leaders, visits eastern border post

The UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME), Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, concluded Wednesday a two-day visit to Lebanon. He met with Lebanese leaders, UNIFIL Commander and visited a newly constructed Protected Border Observation Post (PBOP) on Lebanon’s eastern border with Syria.

The visit underscores the UK’s ongoing commitment to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in enhancing its ability to secure Lebanon’s borders and respond swiftly to threats, including smuggling and illegal cross-border activity, the British Embassy said. The new Protected Border Observation Post is part of a broader UK Integrated Security Fund program to strengthen Lebanon’s border infrastructure and reinforce the LAF’s operational capability including in border areas.

Ahlgren held meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Head of the Lebanese Army General Rodolphe Haykal and (UNIFIL) Force Commander General Diodato Abagnara. He was accompanied by British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell and Defense Attaché Lt. Colonel Charles Smith.

At the end of the visit, British Ambassador Hamish Cowell said:

“In our meeting we reiterated the UK’s support to the Lebanese Army in its mission to protect Lebanon’s borders and strengthen national security, including deployment in south Lebanon. The new Protected Border Observation Post on the eastern border are a tangible example of our long-standing partnership and our shared commitment to stability in Lebanon.”

Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren said:

“It was a privilege to visit Lebanon again and meet with senior Lebanese leaders. The Protected Border Observation Posts we are building together are a real testament to that and it was fantastic to go and see these for myself.”

“The UK remains a steadfast partner in strengthening Lebanon’s security institutions and supporting the LAF’s role as the sole legitimate defender of the country’s borders.”

Since 2010, the UK has also helped construct more than 82 border observation posts and forward operating bases as part of efforts to strengthen Lebanese border security. "We are supporting the expanded deployment of the LAF including in southern Lebanon, reinforcing their role as the sole legitimate military force of the Lebanese state, and strengthening their resilience across the country," the embassy said.