Hale Says Attack against Army 'Simply Unacceptable'

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale rejected on Wednesday attacks on the Lebanese Armed Forces, noting that targeting the military institution reaffirms the importance of the state's institutions in upholding order and stability in Lebanon.

Hale's statement comes after a suicide bomber blew himself up on Saturday evening at an army checkpoint in the northeastern town of Arsal, killing three troops and wounding several others.

“The targeting of Lebanon’s security forces is simply unacceptable,” the U.S. ambassador stressed at a ceremony marking the delivery of 176 High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (Humvees) and 300 M-60 Machine Gun units to the army.

He noted that recent attacks reaffirm the importance of the state's institutions in “upholding order and stability in the country.”

Hale considered that these events are a reminder of the “tough battle Lebanon is fighting as it confronts terrorism, extremism and unrest.”

He also praised the army's recent “successes by in capturing and killing terrorists.”

“This shows that leaders have a right strategy and that Lebanon is on the right path,” he added.

Hale reiterated the United States' support to the army and the security forces “as the sole defenders of the state.”

“Our encouragement are with the brave personnel of the army and the Internal Security Forces as they do difficult and dangerous tasks in (the northern city of) Tripoli and in Arsal,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his country's support to Lebanon, its people, army, and institutions.

In the ceremony, Hale remarked that the United States has assisted the Lebanese Army and ISF with over $1 billion since 2005.

A statement released by the U.S. embassy described the M1123 Humvee as a versatile, technologically advanced vehicle capable of performing both combat and combat-support roles.

“The vehicles are primarily used for troop and equipment movement, combat patrol, and employment of various weapon systems,” the statement said.

It continued: “The M-60 provides both a defensive, such as base or site protection, and offensive capability in offensive operations.”

To date, the U.S. has delivered a total of 1,287 Humvees to the LAF, and an additional 40 Humvees are scheduled to be delivered later this month, according to the embassy's statement.

S.D.B.

Y.R.