The United States delivered 50 armoured vehicles, 40 artillery pieces and 50 grenade launchers to the Lebanese army yesterday, part of its efforts to bolster Lebanon against a threat from militant groups in neighbouring, conflict-ridden Syria.
The equipment, worth $50mn, is part of an aid package that has now topped $220mn this year, making Lebanon the fifth-biggest recipient of American military assistance, US ambassador Elizabeth Richard said during the delivery.
Fighting between Islamic State and other Islamist militant groups in Syria often flares in the mountains along Lebanon’s northern frontier and the violence has periodically spilled across the border.
Eight Islamic State suicide bombers targeted a Christian village in Lebanon near the Syrian frontier last month, killing five and raising fears of a new campaign of attacks.
Workers unload a Humvee, as Lebanese Army soldiers stand near Howitzers, part of a military donation from the US government to the Lebanese army, during a ceremony at Beirut’s port, yesterday.