LAF COMMANDER KAHWAJI CONFIDENT OF MURR'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIRUT 001045 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2019 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PINR MOPS MARR KPKO MCAP IS LE SUBJECT: LAF COMMANDER KAHWAJI CONFIDENT OF MURR'S RE-APPOINTMENT REF: BEIRUT 1022 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Caretaker Defense Minister Elias Murr will be re-appointed to the same position in the next cabinet, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Commander Jean Kahwaji told visiting LTG William Webster and the Ambassador on September ¶18. Kahwaji continued to be concerned that the current delay in forming a new government could jeopardize Lebanon's fragile security situation. Kahwaji admitted his enduring anxiety about illicit activity emanating from the Palestinian refugee camps, particularly the Rashidiyyeh and Ain al-Hilweh camps in the south given their proximity to terrain that can easily conceal equipment used for cross-border rocket attacks. The LAF commander repeated the oft-heard refrain that U.S. assistance to the LAF is essential to help stop the spread of terrorism and is beneficial to both Lebanese and U.S. interests in the region. End summary. MURR WILL BE RE-APPOINTED AS DEFENSE MINISTER -------------- ¶2. (C) Kahwaji remained confident caretaker DefMin Murr will be re-appointed to the position in the next cabinet. In a September 18 meeting with Commander of the Third Army and U.S. Army Central LTG Webster and the Ambassador at the defense ministry, Kahwaji said that he conveyed to President Michel Sleiman his desire that Murr return as defense minister. Underscoring his effectiveness and commitment to strengthening the LAF, Kahwaji insisted Murr is the best defense minister in Lebanon's history, and he maintained that he and Murr have an excellent working relationship. "Maybe Hizballah doesn't want him," Kahwaji noted, before adding, "I am convinced he is the best." PALESTINIAN CAMPS REMAIN A CONCERN -------------- ¶3. (C) Kahwaji continued to be concerned that the current delay in forming a new government could jeopardize Lebanon's fragile security situation, noting that the LAF ultimately is responsible for maintaining a calm security environment in the country. The LAF commander reported that the LAF received advance warning from foreign intelligence sources of the launch of rockets from Lebanon into ISRAEL on September 11, corroborating information from UNIFIL we received in the wake of the attacks (reftel). Kahwaji also confirmed that a suspected Al-Qaeda cell was responsible for the attack, although he underscored the difficulty of catching the culprits or finding the launch pads used to fire the two Katyusha rockets in the jungle-like banana fields that cover large portions of Lebanon's southern coastal region. ¶4. (C) Kahwaji admitted his enduring anxiety about illicit activity emanating from the Palestinian refugee camps, particularly the Rashidiyyeh and Ain al-Hilweh camps in the south in light of their proximity to terrain that can easily conceal equipment used for cross-border rocket attacks. He underscored Lebanon's commitment to implementing UNSCR 1701 and its opposition to any hostile action emanating 0*QF2don't want to attack (Israel),but we will defend our borders." Kahwaji added that he does not want other parties in Lebanon to provoke ISRAEL either, and he was doing his utmost to prevent this. He explained that he maintained regular contact with Hizballah, and he did not believe the group had any intention of inciting conflict with Israeli. REQUEST FOR CONTINUED USG MILITARY SUPPORT -------------- ¶5. (C) Kahwaji asserted that U.S. assistance to the LAF is essential to help stop the spread of terrorism and is beneficial to both Lebanese and U.S. interests in the region. "The U.S. is not the only donor, but it is the best donor in terms of equipment, knowledge and training," he said, complimenting the high quality of training provided by U.S. forces and mentioning the possibility of receiving training for the LAF's air-assault regiment. Kahwaji added that U.S.-provided intelligence training was particularly effective and he hoped we would consider providing more assistance on this front. ¶6. (C) Kahwaji added, however, that the major disadvantage of U.S. military assistance is that it can be slow in arriving, although he quickly apologized for raising the point, explaining that it is his job to ensure that his troops received the best equipment and training in a timely manner. Kahwaji stressed he has three primary responsibilities as LAF commander: defending Lebanon's borders, maintaining internal peace and security, and fighting terrorism. He insisted he could only meet these goals through a well-equipped and well-trained army. LTG Webster assured Kahwaji that CENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus has made strengthening the abilities of U.S. allies to combat terrorism a top priority and that the U.S. is committed to helping countries like Lebanon fight terrorism. "Stability and peace are in the best interests of all of us," Webster emphasized. Kahwaji assured Webster that he understood and appreciated Webster's message and added that he hoped it would translate into continued U.S. support for the LAF. SISON