Lebanese military insists troops are loyal, after US sanctioned allegedly Hezbollah-linked officer

The Lebanese military says its soldiers are loyal to the institution, after the US on Thursday announced sanctions on officials in Lebanon, including, for the first time, an army officer accused of sharing information with Hezbollah.

In a statement, the army says it “affirms that all officers and members of the military institution are performing their national duties with utmost professionalism, responsibility and discipline, in accordance with the decisions and directives issued by the army command.”

It emphasizes that “the loyalty of military personnel is solely to the military institution and the nation, and that they are committed to fulfilling their national duties without any other considerations or pressures.”

The army adds that it was not informed of the sanctions beforehand.