Michael Leeney to replace Jeffers as full-time head of ceasefire committee

Major General Jasper Jeffers, Chairman of the Cessation of Hostilities Implementation Mechanism, met Wednesday with Lebanese and UNIFIL leadership in Beirut, accompanied by Major General Michael Leeney.

“Major General Leeney is joining the Mechanism to provide a full-time senior U.S. military leader in Beirut to continue the strong relationship between the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and U.S. military,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this important mission and am very optimistic for the future. The LAF is well known as a capable force and my meetings have shown just how dedicated they are to ensuring peace and stability,” Leeney said.

Leeney will work closely with LAF, UNIFIL, France and the Military Technical Committee for Lebanon to “enable the LAF to provide security and fully safeguard Lebanese sovereignty,” the Embassy added.

“Recognizing the importance of the Cessation of Hostilities, Major General Jeffers will stay involved in Lebanon while fulfilling his role as the commander of U.S. Special Operations forces in the Levant, Arabian Gulf, and Central Asia,” it said.