US Provides Border Security Equipment to Lebanese Armed Forces
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربيةOn behalf of the United States, Ambassador Elizabeth Richard presented on Friday over 1000 machine guns to the Lebanese Armed Forces as part of the LAF’s ongoing efforts to improve border security, a US embassy statement said.
The equipment includes 800 heavy machine guns and another 320 crew-served weapons, adding to battle-tested equipment already in the hands of the LAF. The machine guns will be used to increase firepower along Lebanon’s borders and will allow Land Border Regiments in the LAF to occupy and defend their border positions on schedule, the statement added.
In a ceremony at the Logistics Brigade Headquarters at Kfarshima, attended by LAF Brigadier General Farah and Brigadier General Abi Nasif, Ambassador Richard highlighted the important role the LAF plays in addressing the serious challenges Lebanon faces, many of which arise from the conflict in Syria.
She noted that the handover of this new shipment of weapons is another example of the ongoing U.S. government program to improve the LAF’s capabilities to carry out its mission as the sole defender of Lebanon.
Ambassador Richard said: “Today, I am happy to be with you to receive the latest delivery of equipment – equipment which we are confident will be directly employed to protect and defend Lebanon’s borders, and by the very nature of that act, Lebanon’s most valuable asset, its people.
“In the past, delivery ceremonies have focused on more sophisticated and technologically advanced military hardware. In August, in one of my first interactions with the LAF, we marked the delivery of 50 Armored HUMVEES with automatic grenade launchers, 40 howitzer artillery pieces, and advanced HELLFIRE Missiles along with many other types of munitions. In December, we again gathered to celebrate the delivery of the LAF’s latest armed Cessna aircraft,” said Richard.
“The Lebanese Army has quickly utilized this increase in combat power to aggressively target terrorist threats, protect the nation’s borders, and demonstrate its resolve to defend the Lebanese way of life, and we have seen how border communities’ trust in the LAF is impressively high and is growing,” the Ambassador remarked.
“The equipment we see here today does not represent a new capability for the Lebanese Army. Rather, it will strengthen your ongoing efforts to increase your border protection. Recipients will include the Border Regiments that are now being stood up as part of the joint US-Lebanon-UK program to secure the whole of the Lebanese - Syrian border for the Lebanese state by early next year,” she added.
Richard concluded: “These weapons displayed before you, much like the Lebanese soldiers, are proven, reliable, trustworthy, and deadly to those who would impinge on Lebanon’s sovereignty and freedom.
“We recognize that the challenges facing Lebanon are serious. Many of them emanate from outside your borders. But the Lebanese are strong, as you have proven over and over through history. Rest assured that the United States stands beside the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese Army as we work together for a more peaceful future for all of us.”
This is the Lebanese Airforce.
And March 14 says thanks America?
http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2010/07/Cessna-All-Electric-4.jpg
Israel laughs, this is what they would face if the LAF didn't have the Resistance to support it.
They have other means. They have no need for an Airforce.
Good thing we have the Resistance otherwise your Israeli friends would still be occupying this land.
lulz @ mowaten the best most versatile trolling soliloquist ever! But you forgot to change usernames this time bru, lol! But all kidding aside those Cessnas are not meant for dogfights they used by armies around the world including the US Army to fight insurgencies. For example the Lebanese Army would have loved to have those when it was fighting Sayyed Hassan's terrorists dug in behind his red lines in Nahr el Bared. The LAF had to mod some helos to drop bombs on the terrorists and when the US supplied the LAF with amos, Sayyed Hassan and friends complained instead of supporting the LAF by opening their warehouses and helping out. I just wish the LAF could get a few of Iran's Qaher stealth fighters that'll terrify the Israelis, best things about these is they don't need a runway just an exhibition hall!
America, the warmonger and the terrorism sponsor wants to buy the Lebanese people sympathy by providing guns to prevent the American made F-35 violating the Lebanese airspace by Israel.