Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — The United States has reported additional military shipments to Lebanon.

Officials said the U.S. military oversaw the delivery of air-to-ground missiles to the Lebanese military.

The officials identified the missiles as the AGM-114 Hellfire, meant to be deployed on light aircraft for the Lebanese Air Force.

“Specifically, this week brought the delivery of more Hellfire missiles to the Lebanese Army,” U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, David Hale, said.

In a statement, Hale said the Hellfires would be deployed on Lebanese aircraft. The ambassador said Beirut has requested a combat variant of the Cessna light aircraft.

“The Lebanese government and army have requested additional aircraft from the United States: an armed Cessna and other light air support aircraft,” Hale said during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Tamam Salam.

Hale said the U.S. military would also equip a Cessna already acquired by the Lebanese Air Force with unspecified weapons. He said the U.S. effort was being financed by Saudi Arabia.

Officials said Lebanon has long sought combat aircraft from the United States. They said Beirut complained over the U.S. refusal to arm the first Cessna supplied by Washington.

Hale said Washington was also upgrading Lebanon’s security forces. The ambassador cited the Internal Security Forces, deemed the last unit to have escaped domination by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah.

“Last week, we donated to the Internal Security Forces bomb detection tools, explosive safety gear, and other equipment,” Hale said. “This is part of an ongoing partnership between America and the ISF, to help the ISF keep the streets of Lebanon safe.”

  AGM-114 Hellfire, David Hale, financed by Saudis, Tamam Salam, to Lebanese Army, U.S. sends Hellfire missiles