The Daily Star BEIRUT: Washington remains committed to assisting the Lebanese Army, the U.S. defense secretary said Saturday. U.S. military aid to Lebanon has been a point of contention as some argue that it is benefitting Iran-backed Hezbollah. “In terms of security assistance, we’ve committed a lot to the Lebanese Armed Forces and we will continue that commitment,” U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper told CNBC. Esper added that “wherever theres that spark of freedom,” and where there are people who want “those values that we share, we want to support them.” Pressed about Iran and its role in the Middle East, including Lebanon, Esper said “the biggest challenge is Iran.”