New US aid delivery to Lebanon army to counter militant threat
The US delivered 50 armoured vehicles, 40 artillery pieces and 50 grenade launchers to the Lebanese army on Tuesday
Lebanese Brigadier General Manuel Kirejian (2nd R) chats with US ambassador to Lebanon David Hale (C) as they review weapons donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army during a ceremony. PHOTO: REUTERS
The United States delivered 50 armoured vehicles, 40 artillery pieces and 50 grenade launchers to the Lebanese army on Tuesday, part of its efforts to bolster Lebanon against a threat from militant groups in neighbouring, conflict-ridden Syria.
The equipment, worth $50 million, is part of an aid package that has now topped $220 million this year, making Lebanon the fifth-biggest recipient of American military assistance, US ambassador Elizabeth Richard said during the delivery.Fighting between Islamic State and other militant groups in Syria often flares in the mountains along Lebanon's northern frontier and the violence has periodically spilled across the border.
Islamic State expanding foothold in Afghanistan
This year Saudi Arabia, traditionally an important financial backer of the Lebanese state, suspended $3 billion in aid to the security forces over what it saw as growing closeness between Beirut and Iran, Riyadh's main regional foe.
Syria once dominated its smaller neighbour, whose own sectarian fissures fuelled a 15-year civil war from 1975-90. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has fought alongside Syrian government forces in Syria's civil war since 2013.
The equipment, worth $50 million, is part of an aid package that has now topped $220 million this year, making Lebanon the fifth-biggest recipient of American military assistance, US ambassador Elizabeth Richard said during the delivery.Fighting between Islamic State and other militant groups in Syria often flares in the mountains along Lebanon's northern frontier and the violence has periodically spilled across the border.
Islamic State expanding foothold in Afghanistan
This year Saudi Arabia, traditionally an important financial backer of the Lebanese state, suspended $3 billion in aid to the security forces over what it saw as growing closeness between Beirut and Iran, Riyadh's main regional foe.
Syria once dominated its smaller neighbour, whose own sectarian fissures fuelled a 15-year civil war from 1975-90. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah movement has fought alongside Syrian government forces in Syria's civil war since 2013.