An international Military Delegation from the British Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) visited Lebanon

An international delegation of fifteen senior military officers from the British Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) led by Major General Craig Lawrence is visiting Lebanon for a week to learn about the political, economic, security, and social  challenges facing Lebanon and how these might relate to regional and international stability.

RCDS is a UK based course for military officers and senior government civil servants from the UK and allied nations.  The aim of the course is to instruct members in defence and international security matters.

As part of their overseas study tour, the RCDS delegation of Colonels and Brigadiers from the UK, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Canada, Netherlands, Chile, Colombia, China, India, and Uganda have met with President Michel Aoun, Defence Minister Yaccoub Sarraf, LAF Commander General Joseph Aoun and industrialists and businessmen from across Lebanese society.

They saw firsthand how the UK supports Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces  during a visit to the 4th Land Border Regiment at Baalbeck.  Through meetings with prominent members of the business community, they hope to understand how Lebanon can move the economy forward towards success. They also visited HQ UNIFIL at Naqoura and met with General Beary, Commander UNIFIL to talk about some of the challenges the UN faces in conducting a large UN mission in a volatile part of the world.

Welcoming the course to Beirut, Ambassador Shorter said:

‘It is a privilege to host top military officers from the UK and the world as part of their Royal College of Defence Studies study tour in Lebanon. Their visit to Lebanon is another example of the strategic importance that Lebanon has in anchoring regional stability, and the security challenges it faces as it counters extremism and unrest.  We’re proud of our strong defence links with Lebanon and I am certain that the officers’ experience will be like no other in the region”.