Visiting U.S. Central Command ( USCENTCOM) Commander General James R. Mattis expressed Sunday his appreciation for the strong and sustained military cooperation between his country and Lebanon.

According to a statement issued by the U.S embassy, Mattis held a meeting with Lebanese army commander General Jean Kahwaji, during which he emphasized U.S. support for Lebanon's initiatives to implement its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The resolution helped broker an end of hostilities in southern Lebanon following a 33-day conflict between Shiite militia Hezbollah and the Israeli military in 2006.

Mattis also renewed U.S. commitment to a stable, sovereign and independent Lebanon.

The statement underscored USCENTCOM's continuing effort to strengthen the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces, recognizing them as Lebanon's sole legitimate defense forces in securing Lebanon's borders and defending the sovereignty and independence of the state.