UNIPATH STAFF
The delivery of three U.S.-made military helicopters to Lebanon’s Army is expected to bolster its defenses near the border with Syria. The $26 million Huey II helicopters demonstrate the United States’ continued commitment to support the Army’s modernization plans, said Richard H. Jones, U.S. charge d’affaires and interim ambassador, during a ceremony in Beirut in March 2016. The U.S. has been a major supporter of Lebanon’s Army, which is fighting Daesh and al-Qaida’s Syrian branch in border areas.
Gen. Manuel Kerjian, Lebanon’s deputy chief of staff, said U.S. military aid to Lebanon is boosting the level of combat preparedness “and consequently its capability to confront terrorist organizations.”
The delivery coincided with a visit to Lebanon by British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond, who said Lebanon is an important part of the fight against terrorism and pledged his country’s continued support.
“We are delighted by the way that the U.K. support has being translated by the Lebanese Armed Forces in strengthening border security and enabling the Armed Forces to take the fight to Daesh and keep Lebanon safe,” Hammond said after meeting with Lebanese Premier Tammam Salam.
Later in Beirut, Hammond announced Britain would spend 19.8 million British pounds (U.S. $28.5 million) to continue “the monitoring and training and mentoring of the Armed Forces, including the land border regiments and train another 5,000 more Lebanese Soldiers at the British sponsored-facility” in northern Lebanon.
“Our aim is for Lebanon to have secured 100 percent of its border with Syria,” Hammond said, adding that Britain has trained over 11,000 Lebanese Soldiers “in the specialist techniques of urban counterterrorism.” Sources: The Associated Press, Reuters