The Lebanese Armed Forces received a necessary boost to their aerial arsenal when the
United States Army delivered three attack helicopters to the Beirut Military Airport on Thursday. An inauguration ceremony was held in Beirut was held in the presence of the Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Lebanon Richard Jones, special representative from the Lebanese Army Chief Manuel Karajian, and a number of military and media figures. Recently, the Lebanese Army was forced to expand its military operations in the northern countryside of the Tripoli Governorate after a large presence of Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) fighters was discovered.
Washington has been a major supporter of Lebanon's army, which is fighting the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's Syrian branch in border areas.
Lebanon's deputy chief of staff, Gen. Manuel Kerjian, said U.S. military aid to Lebanon is boosting the level of combat preparedness ``and consequently its capability to confront terrorist organizations.''
The delivery coincided with a visit to Lebanon by British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond, who said Lebanon is an important part of the frontline against terrorism and pledged continued support.
"We are delighted by the way that the UK support has being translated by the Lebanese armed forces in strengthening border security and enabling the armed forces to take the fight to Daesh and keep Lebanon safe from the incursions of Daesh,'' he said after meeting with the Lebanese premier, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.
Saudi Arabia last month announced it is halting deals worth $4 billion aimed at equipping and supporting Lebanese security forces, in retaliation for the tiny country's siding with Iran amid the Sunni kingdom's spat with the Shiite powerhouse.