BEIRUT: The commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Michael Kurilla, visited Beirut to oversee the initial phase of Israeli troop withdrawal from Lebanon, marking a significant step towards halting hostilities between the two neighboring countries. According to Anadolu Agency, Gen. Kurilla's visit included meetings with key military figures, such as Gen. Joseph Aoun, the Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who co-chairs the monitoring mechanism for the cessation of hostilities. This mechanism is chaired by the United States and involves assistance from France, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and the Israel Defense Forces. Gen. Kurilla was present at the headquarters overseeing this implementation during the ongoing first withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces, with Lebanese Armed Forces taking their positions in Al Khiam, Lebanon. The discussions aimed to solidify efforts to establish a lasting cessation of hostilities. Gen. Kurill a emphasized that this development is a crucial first step in achieving a permanent peace agreement. Additionally, during his visit, Kurilla and Aoun addressed regional security concerns, particularly the situation in Syria, and explored ways to enhance military cooperation between the Lebanese Armed Forces and CENTCOM.