Lebanon president says determined to deploy army up to Israel border Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told the US Central Command chief on Monday that he was committed to extending the state's control through its military up to the border with Israel, where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence. He reaffirmed to Admiral Brad Cooper "the Lebanese state's determination to extend its authority, through its armed forces, to the southern border", the presidency said in a statement, adding that the pair discussed preparations for implementing a framework agreement between Lebanon, Israel and the US.