Visit of the Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal, to the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Lebanese Army Commander-in-Chief, General Rodolph Haykal, visited the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 27 and 28 November 2025, upon an official invitation from his Dutch counterpart, the Chief of Defense Staff of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim.

General Haykal visited the Dutch Ministry of Defense, where an official welcoming ceremony was held in his honor. He then met with General Eichelsheim, and both sides emphasized the need to strengthen stability in Lebanon and the region, support the Lebanese position in international forums, deepen cooperation between the Lebanese and Dutch armies, and continue the Dutch authorities’ multi-phase support program for the Lebanese Army, given its crucial role in maintaining Lebanon’s stability.

The Dutch side praised the Army’s efforts in accurately and professionally implementing the first phase of its plan in the South Litani sector.

General Haykal, in turn, thanked General Eichelsheim and the Dutch authorities for their various support initiatives over the past years for the benefit of the Army and the Lebanese people across different regions.

During the visit, the Army Commander-in-Chief participated in a strategic military meeting attended by General Eichelsheim and representatives of official institutions, including the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs.

General Haykal also met the Commander of Special Operations in the Dutch Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Jan Hut, with whom he discussed areas of cooperation. He visited the headquarters of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Dutch Military Police) and met with its Commander, Lt. Gen. Annelore Roelofs. He was briefed on its missions, particularly airport security, border control, and combating illegal immigration.