U.S. continues weapons shipments to Lebanon as regional tensions rise

U.S. continues weapons shipments to Lebanon
as regional tensions rise

NICOSIA — The United States continues to supply weapons and other security systems to Lebanon's security forces amid rising tensions with Israel and despite concerns in Congress that Hizbullah holds the Beirut government in check.
The U.S. government has delivered light weapons, body armor and bomb equipment to Lebanese security forces.

This marked the third transfer of military and security equipment to Lebanon in as many months. The U.S. supply has been taking place as Beirut's military has escalated attacks on Israeli fighter-jets on reconnaissance missions in southern Lebanon.

Leading members of Congress have expressed concern over the U.S. funding of Lebanon's military and security forces amid their domination by the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah. In 2008, ISF refused to stop a Hizbullah takeover of offices of the ruling Future Party, headed by Prime Minister Said Hariri.

On June 3, the U.S. equipment was formally presented to Lebanon's Internal Security Forces in Beirut.

"The U.S. government is pleased with the continued cooperation of the Lebanese government as we are all working together to assist the Internal Security Forces and other law-enforcement agencies to fulfill their important mission in Lebanon and to protect the Lebanese citizens they serve," U.S. charge d'affaires Thomas Daughton said.

In the latest shipment, ISF received more than $427,000 worth of equipment, including M-4 carbines, 9mm pistols, body armor, bomb technician equipment and post-blast investigation systems. The equipment was delivered as part $1 million worth of exports allocated by the State Department's Antiterrorism Assistance program.

"The development of law-enforcement agencies as vital organs of the Lebanese state is essential to ensure Lebanon's sovereignty, security, independence and prosperity," Daughton said.

Since 2006, the United States has provided more than $525 million in military and security aid to Lebanon's military and security forces. In April, the military received the first U.S. heavy weapons, including anti-tank missiles.

Officials said the administration of President Barack Obama also plans to ship main battle tanks, unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery to Lebanon's military. They said the U.S. effort has been coordinated with other allies of Lebanon, including France, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Lebanon and the United States were said to have signed a security cooperation agreement. The agreement, criticized by Hizbullah and many others in parliament, was said to enable Beirut and Washington to exchange intelligence on insurgency threats.
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/me_gulf0490_06_04.asp