U.S. to continue to support Lebanese army: Pompeo

BEIRUT, March 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday that the United States will continue to support the Lebanese Army, the National News Agency reported.

"We will keep on supporting the Lebanese Army, our strategic partner in fighting against terrorism," Pompeo was quoted as saying during his meeting with Armed Forces Commander Joseph Aoun.

The United States is the biggest provider of military aid to Lebanon. The Lebanese Army has received a total of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in military aid from successive U.S. administrations since the war with Israel in 2006.

Pompeo said that Washington is committed to working continuously with Lebanon on preserving the country's peace and prosperity.

Pompeo has ended a two-day visit to Lebanon where he held discussions with Lebanese officials focusing on Hezbollah and other issues of interest to both countries.