US gives Lebanon $50 million of new military assistance

BEIRUT – The United States on Tuesday delivered $50 million worth of military assistance to Lebanon’s army to help it battle against Muslim extremists near the border with Syria.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth H. Richard told reporters at Beirut’s port that the latest assistance is in “an entire ship full of military equipment.”

A U.S. Embassy statement said the shipment includes 50 armoured Humvees, 40 Howitzers and over 1,000 tons of ammunition.

The U.S. has been speeding up delivery of ammunition to help Lebanon’s military combat jihadi groups near the border with Syria.

“This year alone, we provided over $221 million in equipment and training to the Lebanese security forces,” Richard said. “I’d also like to point out that Lebanon is the 5th largest recipient of United States foreign military financing in the world.”

In March, Washington delivered three Huey II helicopters, raising to 10 the number of such U.S.-made aircraft in Lebanon’s fleet

Washington has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance to Lebanon since 2006.