Pakistani and Lebanese army chiefs meet on defense ties

The heads of the Pakistani and Lebanese armed forces met in Rawalpindi on Tuesday and agreed to increase military cooperation. The visit occurred while Pakistan continues efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran over the months-long conflict.

Pakistan has been mediating between the United States and Iran to end the conflict, with Tehran insisting that any deal should include Lebanon, where Israel has been fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Meeting details Lebanese army chief Rodolphe Haykal traveled to Pakistan on Saturday to meet his Pakistani counterpart Asim Munir. A Lebanon-based source told AFP the visit was connected to the broader peace talks. The two commanders discussed matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional security environment, defense cooperation, and prospects for enhancing bilateral military relations, according to a statement from the media wing of the Pakistani military.

Munir underscored the Pakistan Army's commitment to expanding defense collaboration with the Lebanese Armed Forces, the statement said. Haykal received a guard of honor before the meeting.

Regional context Conflict in Lebanon has become a central element of efforts to end the war. Armed hostilities flared further during Haykal's visit, though both Iran and Israel indicated on Monday that they had halted the fighting. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that negotiators were in the final throes of reaching a deal.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said a US-Iranian agreement was about to be achieved when fresh fighting between Iran and Israel erupted on Sunday. Lebanon was drawn into the war when Hezbollah militants fired rockets at Israel on March 2.

Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion that have killed nearly 3,600 people. Exchanges of fire have continued despite an April 17 ceasefire agreement.