Tri-Service
UK To Give £20 Million In Aid To Lebanese Military
Lebanon’s armed forces are to receive over £20 million in aid from the British government to help stop Syria’s civil war spilling over its border.
On a visit to Lebanon, the Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announced £15 million for border guard training and £4.5 million for the general training of 5,000 Lebanese troops.
Saw @BritishArmy training #Lebanese forces to combat threat from #Daesh & strengthen border w/ #Syriapic.twitter.com/iGpn9bFOIS
— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) March 31, 2016
As quoted by the Reuters news agency, Mr Hammond said:
"Lebanon is an important part of the front line against terrorism."
"We are delighted by the way the UK support is being translated into strengthened border security and is enabling the armed forces to take the fight to Daesh and keep Lebanon safe from the incursions of Daesh."
The country’s military will also receive three Huey II multi-mission helicopters worth £18 million from the United States, taking their total to nine.
Fighting between Daesh and the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front often overlaps Lebanon’s northern border with Syria.
At least 32 Nusra and Daesh fighters have died at the border this week.
A number of countries support Lebanon’s armed forces amid concerns regional conflict and a power struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia could destabilise the country.
Lebanon’s civil war ended 26 years ago.
Saudi Arabia suspended a £2 billion aid package for the Lebanese army in February.
Cover image courtesy: @PHammondMP
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