Lebanese army delegation heads to US ahead of Haykal's visit

A Lebanese Army delegation departed for the United States on Wednesday to meet with American military officials, ahead of the Army Commander's planned visit to Washington.

The delegation will prepare for General Rodolphe Haykal's visit next week and will meet with head of the 'Mechanism' committee General Joseph Clearfield, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported Thursday.

The next 'Mechanism' meeting will take place in Naqoura on February 25, the daily added.

Haykal will visit Washington from February 3 to 5, media reports said and will present to Washington detailed military maps, and a list of Hezbollah sites and tunnels.

According to local TV network MTV, Haykal will also give deadlines for the implementation of Hezbollah's disarmament plan.

In November, a visit by Haykal was cancelled just hours before he was set to depart for Washington, after U.S. officials and senators criticized the Lebanese Army and its chief, accusing them of not doing enough to disarm Hezbollah.

The cancellation included all high-level meetings at the Pentagon and Congress, as well as an official reception at the Lebanese Embassy.