Beirut – Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon was “determined to combat terrorist organizations and uncover all terror rings”.

“The army is still carrying out air and land strikes against terrorist organizations’ bases, leaving major losses among the ranks of terrorists,” Aoun said during his meeting with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Joseph Votel, at the Baabda palace.

US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard was also present at the meeting.

“Preemptive military operations carried out by the army and the targeting of terrorist locations are being executed with high accuracy and competence,” the Lebanese president noted, as reported by the National News Agency (NNA).

Aoun revealed that the detection of sleeping terror rings have led to the arrest of a terrorist group that was planning attacks on populated areas inside the country.

On the other hand, the president thanked Votel for the support provided by the US to the Lebanese Army.

“Lebanon will return to what it used to be, an oasis for peace and stability,” he stated.

Votel, for his part, conveyed to Aoun the US command’s keenness on maintaining its support to the Lebanese military institution.

“The meetings I held during my stay in Beirut focused on providing this support, especially that the [Lebanese] army has proven high capacity and special competence in its operations against the terrorists,” he noted.

He also said that his country highly appreciated the attention Aoun was paying to the army, particularly his personal presence at the central operations room in Yarze to follow up on the mission executed by the Lebanese soldiers.

He reiterated that the US would continue providing necessary aid for the Lebanese army “because it realizes the importance of this support in preserving Lebanon’s stability and safety.”