Lebanese Armed Forces
US gives Lebanon $50 million of military assistance
After having a $3 billion aid package from Saudi Arabia get cut off, the Lebanese Armed Forces received a $50 million aid package from the US on Tuesday; Included are humvees, Howitzer cannons, ammunition; aid is to help government fight Islamists on Syrian border.
BEIRUT- The United States delivered $50 million worth of military assistance to Lebanon's army to help it battle against Muslim extremists near the border with Syria on Tuesday.
US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth H. Richard told reporters at Beirut's port that the latest assistance is in "an entire ship full of military equipment."
A US Embassy statement said the shipment includes 50 armored Humvees, 40 Howitzers and over 1,000 tons of ammunition.
The US has been speeding up delivery of ammunition to help Lebanon's military combat jihadi groups near the border with Syria.
Soldiers from the Lebanese Armed Forces on the border with Syria (Photo: AP)
"This year alone, we provided over $221 million in equipment and training to the Lebanese security forces," Richard said. "I'd also like to point out that Lebanon is the 5th largest recipient of United States foreign military financing in the world."
In March, Washington delivered three Huey II helicopters, raising to 10 the number of such US- made aircraft in Lebanon's fleet
Washington has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006.
Saudi Arabia previously had a deal to send $3 billion in aid to the small Levantine nation,but suspended the aid package following Beirut's failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran in February.
