U.S. responds to Lebanon’s urgent arms appeal amid ISIL campaign

Special to WorldTribune.com

NICOSIA — Lebanon has received another shipment of U.S. weapons.

The Beirut government said the United States shipped weapons and ammunition to the Lebanese Army on Sept. 6.

A Lebanese Army soldier inspects a weapon donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army during a ceremony at Beirut International Airport. /Reuters/Mohamed Azakir — A Lebanese soldier inspects a weapon donated by the U.S. government during a ceremony at Beirut International Airport. /Reuters/Mohamed Azakir

This marked the second U.S. military shipment to Lebanon in as many months amid a campaign by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The delivery on Aug. 29 included 480 anti-tank guided missiles, more than 1,500 M16-A4 assault rifles. Officials said the U.S. shipments stemmed from urgent requests by Beirut.

The weapons arrived on a U.S. military plane at Beirut International Airport in a ceremony attended by the Lebanese military and U.S. embassy.

“This new batch is part of the U.S. assistance program to the Lebanese Army and of the commitments and agreements signed between the two sides,” Lebanon’s official National News Agency said.

The news agency did not identify the weapons or ammunition, but officials said they included anti-tank guided missiles, mortars and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

“Support for the Lebanese Army and other security services is a top priority for the U.S.,” U.S. ambassador to Lebanon David Hale said during the previous shipment.

anti-tank guided missiles, David Hale, M16-A4 assault rifles, U.S. responds to Lebanon’s urgent arms appeal amid ISIL campaign

U.S. responds to Lebanon’s urgent arms appeal amid ISIL campaign added by World Tribune on September 8, 2014
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