press releases 2008

The United States Provides More Support to the Lebanese Armed Forces

May 30, 2008

Last week, the United States supplied over 1,356,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, totaling over 376 tons, to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).  This delivery is part of the multi-year U.S. Security Assistance program to Lebanon.  This assistance also includes modern weapons, vehicles, communications, and advanced training. 

U.S. assistance to the LAF is continuous and robust.  Five days after last year’s Nahr Al Bared battle began, the United States delivered over 10 million rounds of all types of ammunition.   The United States has delivered a total of over 12 million rounds to the LAF.

In response to the LAF’s request to improve its transport capability, the United States ha delivered 285 all terrain vehicles (humvees) to the LAF since 2006, and 300 more will arrive over the next year.  The LAF has also received 200 cargo transport trucks.   In addition, the United States has provided repair parts for all vehicles and critical repair parts for the LAF’s helicopters.

U.S. assistance to the LAF has also supplied the same front-line weapons that the U.S. military troops are currently using, including assault rifles, automatic grenade launchers, advanced sniper weapon systems, anti-tank weapons, and the most modern urban warfare bunker weapons.

Also included in the on-going U.S. support to the Lebanese Armed Forces is an advanced mobile communication system to secure Lebanon’s borders.  Coastal patrol crafts will also be delivered to the Lebanese Navy and Air Force helicopters will be refurbished.

The United States is committed to supporting and strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces so that it can protect Lebanese citizens, defend the Lebanese government and safeguard state institutions.