Lebanon receives further U.S. military aid

The latest U.S. military assistance to the Lebanese army arrived at Beirut's Rafik Hariri airport on Tuesday, the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

The U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Lebanon, Ambassador Richard H. Jones, was present at the airport to witness the arrival of the aid, added the statement

The statement said that "the United States provided sophisticated mapping equipment valued at over 3.6 million U.S. dollars that will improve the army's ability to plot Lebanon's terrain."

It added that "the detailed maps produced by this equipment will enhance the military's operational planning capacity and ability to protect Lebanese troops as they continue decisive action against extremist elements along Lebanon's border."

"The delivery demonstrates America's sustained commitment to ensure the Lebanese Armed Forces has the support it needs to be the sole defender of Lebanese territory," said the statement.

U.S. military assistance delivered over the past year included Huey II helicopters, Hellfire missiles, border surveillance equipment as well as ammunition.

Further deliveries to the Lebanese army are expected soon, including artillery systems, armored vehicles, tactical radios, in addition to hundreds of thousands of additional ammunition rounds.

The United States has provided Lebanon with over 1.4 billion dollars in security assistance since 2005. Endit