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Can new US general advance Hezbollah disarmament in Lebanon?

The Pentagon has assigned a new general to oversee the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire as the Trump administration continues to pressure the Beirut government to hasten the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Lebanese soldiers inspect the site near a burnt-out vehicle reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Ghazieh, near Sidon, on April 18, 2025. Lebanon's health ministry said an Israeli strike on April 18 hit a vehicle near the southern coastal city of Sidon, killing one person. Despite a November 27 ceasefire that sought to halt more than a year of all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel has continued to carry out near-daily strikes in Lebanon. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP) (Photo by MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/A
Lebanese soldiers inspect the site of a vehicle reportedly hit by an Israeli strike in Ghazieh, near Sidon, on April 18, 2025. — MAHMOUD ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty Images

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WASHINGTON —Washington’s embassy in Beirut announced on Wednesday that it has brought in a new general to oversee US-led monitoring of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire as Lebanon’s government faces increased pressure from Israel and the United States to move against Hezbollah.

US Army Maj. Gen. Michael Leeney will take over for Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, allowing Jeffers to focus on his main role overseeing all American special operations forces in the Middle East and Central Asia as the Pentagon gears up for potential conflict with Iran.

Wednesday’s statement by the US Embassy read that 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.”

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