UK Envoy Visits LAF Training Center, Congratulates 10,000th Soldier Trained
On his first official visit outside Beirut to the Lebanese Army’s Special Forces School in Hamat, British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling toured the training facility and congratulated the 10,000th soldier trained, the UK embassy said on Thursday.
Rampling met with the Commander of the Special Forces Training school and heard how the joint UK- U.S. and LAF training is “benefiting Lebanon’s security in urban and rural areas,” the embassy said.
“The UK has committed over £63 million to supporting the Lebanese Army since 2010, alongside significant contributions from the U.S. and other international donors,” it added.
After the visit, Ambassador Rampling said: “It is a privilege for me to visit the Lebanese Army’s Special Forces school and see and hear how the UK support is helping the army in maintaining security and stability. We believe in the Lebanese Army’s capabilities as the sole defender of Lebanon, providing security to all citizens from the border to the Mediterranean.”
“I’m really proud to hand over a UK training certificate to the ten thousandth soldier who graduated from here. It is a sign of our commitment to train, which has now reached almost one third of the Lebanese Army’s fighting force,” he added.
“We are committed to our continued partnership with the Lebanese Army with actions and not just words,” Rampling went on to say.
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