UK Announces $13M for Partnership with LAF, ISF, New Training Center for Border Troops

UK Middle East Minister Alistair Burt announced further support of approximately $13 million to Lebanese security forces at the Rome II Conference on Thursday.

“The funding uplift comes in addition to the over $110m the UK has already committed up to 2019 as part of its long-term partnership with the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces,” the British embassy in Lebanon said in a statement.

The UK funding will go toward supporting the ISF’s Strategic Review plan to transform police across Beirut, improve training at the Police Academy, and put the Inspectorate General at the heart of planning and standards, including on human rights, the embassy added.

“It will also continue to help the LAF secure the northern and eastern borders and vulnerable near-border communities through increased mentoring, training and provision of equipment, and will strengthen the LAF, ISF, Sate Security and General Security's response to terrorism and the causes of terrorism,” the embassy added.

The UK additionally announced a new LAF Border Training Center in the Bekaa Valley which will train over 1,500 border soldiers this year and contribute to the UK’s “commitment to help train 11,000 LAF troops for urban and rural operations by 2019.”

Speaking at the conference, Minister Burt said: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces on the transformation they have undergone in recent years. The courage and professionalism of these men and women, who risk their lives daily to protect their country, have earned them the trust and respect of the public. Along with the General Security and State Security they have shown that they – and only they – are genuinely capable of defending Lebanon.”

“I am proud of the support the United Kingdom has given these institutions. Over the past six years we have provided more than £60m to help the LAF secure the Lebanon-Syria border. Over the last decade, with support from the United Kingdom and other key donors, the LAF has modernized and improved its capabilities. The United Kingdom also recognizes the vital role played by the ISF in protecting Lebanon’s security. Over the last three years we have provided £13m to support their Reform Plan,” Burt added.

However, he noted that security assistance alone is not enough to ensure a stable and prosperous future for Lebanon.

“Clear political progress must also be made to strengthen the Lebanese state. I welcome President (Michel) Aoun’s recent commitment to discuss the National Defense Strategy after parliamentary elections in May. We call on President Aoun and the Government of Lebanon to ensure that this happens without delay following the elections,” Burt added.

“We firmly believe that a secure and stable Lebanon is in all our interests. Your security is our security. Our continued support to Lebanon, along with the extra funding I have announced today, demonstrate the United Kingdom’s commitment to a strong, safe and sovereign Lebanon. We look forward to strengthening even further our security partnership with the Lebanese state, as we work together to achieve this goal,” the British minister went on to say.

Burt met with Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and Minister of Interior Nouhad al-Mashnouq on the sidelines of the conference.

He will also meet this evening with Minister of Defense Yaacoub Sarraf.