❗️US and Lebanese navies stage joint patrol in Mediterranean

 ❗️US and Lebanese navies stage joint patrol in Mediterranean

US Central Command said a joint patrol was carried out in the Mediterranean involving the destroyer USS Mitscher and two Lebanese Navy vessels.

The statement described the drills as part of efforts to enhance “interoperability” through training and operational support.

The patrol follows Washington’s approval of a $14.2m security package for Lebanon aimed at building the army’s capacity to dismantle weapons caches of armed groups, including Hezbollah.

The Pentagon said the goal is to “empower” the Lebanese Armed Forces to degrade groups backed by Iran.

Reports also indicate the US has threatened to withdraw aid unless Beirut accelerates its disarmament push.