Army Receives Cessna Aircraft from United States
The Lebanese Armed Forces received on Monday an armed Cessna aircraft from the United States as part of a vital aspect of the cooperation between the two countries.
“U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard participated in a ceremony to celebrate the delivery of an armed Cessna aircraft to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), highlighting the U.S. commitment to Lebanon’s security,” a US embassy statement said.
Ambassador Richard said: “The U.S. is proud to deliver this Cessna, the third in the LAF air force,” and she reaffirmed the strength of the multi-faceted security partnership with Lebanon.
The U.S. delivered the aircraft as part of a “total package” that includes maintenance support and training, with a combined value of approximately $30 million. The Cessna is equipped with HELLFIRE missiles and a day/night targeting system. The aircraft will help the LAF to conduct border security missions, combat threats from extremist groups, and support LAF ground troops.
United States assistance to the Lebanese army is a vital aspect of the cooperation between the two countries. The United States remains committed to strengthening the capacity of the LAF to secure Lebanon’s borders, defend the sovereignty of the state and maintain overall security.
“We are here today to mark the delivery of an armed Cessna aircraft—the third for the Lebanese Armed Forces. The United States is very proud to be part of supporting the LAF, particularly today,” said Richard.
“Over several years of close military-to-military engagements, we have seen the Lebanese Army develop into a trusted U.S. partner and a major contributor to stability in Lebanon and the region. This partnership is strong now. We share fundamental goals with the Lebanese Armed Forces—border protection, internal security and counter-terrorism, to name a few. And we will continue to work together on those fronts,” added the ambassador.
Richard continued to say: “We know that the challenges facing Lebanon are serious. There are security, political, economic and humanitarian issues, many of them deriving from the conflict in Syria. The new Lebanese government must lead in addressing these problems. But the United States is ready and willing to support Lebanon’s legitimate institutions and its people each step of the way. For this reason, we will continue to stand by the LAF.”
over 8 years
have your filthy iran pay for them then.
over 8 years
This is for free. Only a dumb would reject such a gift which proved quite effective against ISIS near Arsal.
Russia offered to sell the Tos-1, so it won't come for free. Still, Lebanon is interested in buying some weapon systems from Russia, mainly tanks but the army has shown little interest in the Tos-1 system.
over 8 years
and only a dumb who believes that a country which offer something as gifts, will not ask for something else as compensation*, especially a warmonger like Usa.
*influence in its internal affairs.
over 8 years
Yes you can take garbage for free, cessna is not even a warplane.
But the TOS-1 system proved effective in Grozny, Chechnya against the Wahabis there.
Imagine that being used on the ISIS in Arsal. Now that is real firepower indeed, but Hariri and Rifi was afraid of that.
over 8 years
@xasusa
Iran and Lebanon thru HA share the same political interest and strategic defence against a common enemies such as Israel and Daesh, Iran provides help because it can afford it! try to think before making ridiculous of yourself, really dumb.
over 8 years
*read, common enemies
over 8 years
It may not have doomed on the Iran amen corner that Lebanon is a bankrupt country because of the Hezbos. Also a Cessna armed with hellfire missiles is far more effective than a Tos-1.
over 8 years
look! Usa is the main supporter of the apartheid and terrorist state of Israel, the american administration is controlled by the zionist lobby, therefore, each given "gift", no matter how ridiculous it is, the receiving country has to be subjected to controls of how and where to use them... while the Irani help is being use just to defend Lebanon from the common enemies, now plz try to use your head but not your emotion. Ufff headless.
over 8 years
"and Iran doesn't control Hezbollah and tell Hezbollah what where when and against whom to turn their weapons against.":
Not it doesnt, since both share the same enemies.
"the Lebanese Army already used the US donated weapons against Israel in Aug 2010, and killed an Israeli colonel in defending the Lebanese border."
it wasn't American ones.... because Usa's gifts aren't useful for that but for streets engagement.
"influence how Lebanese Shiaa live their daily lives, even going to such an extent as to influence what they wear, what they eat and drink":
so, if your families in Lebanon are using KFC and McDonald's, then you are influenced by Usa to get fat then, how bad!
over 8 years
just i told U! try to use your head ya @texas!
over 8 years
Democrat, are you serious? Or just a Liberal Democrat propagandist.
Cessna planes looks like something hundred years ago.
This is a Cessna plane.
http://www.pilotfriend.com/aircraft%20performance/images3/4.jpg
And this is a TOS-1.
https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HQYQAa1a--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/18ay8qqg3o643jpg.jpg
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/russianmilitary/images/9/99/Tos-1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20130414171501
over 8 years
but you have to go on saying: all these are according to the Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera, CNN and Fox news!
over 8 years
one thing is to assist the Syrian govt or the Iraki's in eradicating the Saudi-Led terrorism and something else is to spread lies of the remaining events, events where orchestrated either by CIA or Mossad to later accuse HA, like for example the Bulgarian case. keep lying!
over 8 years
but according to Israel and your moderate opposition is the contrary! you see how i trap you, liar
btw, keep track on the Israeli figures to see that they prefer your terrorist oppositions to govern Syria.
over 8 years
Mystic is typical of the m8 propagandist. He takes words and twist them. Hellfire is one of the best stand-off air-ground missile in the world and on a Cessna is a very effective weapon. The Lebanese state cannot afford a real supersonic airforce and is engaged in low intensity conflict against guerrilla forces in mountain terrain. A cessna with hellfire missile is a far more effective weapon. Perhaps, we could have afforded an airforce if the cost of the Hizbo to the Lebanese economy has not exceeded 100 billion dollars.
over 8 years
lol tex... southy... he owned you boy!
over 8 years
lool
over 8 years
A Cessna is an amateur's plane, it can be brought down by double barrel.
If this is what the LAF needs, then The Our Small industry Could have bought the kit and produced it , thus creating jobs and stimilating the economy.....
over 8 years
As an American taxpayer and once a strong believer in an independent Lebanon, (your country has so much to be proud of...until Hizthrowup) we will support the LAF as much as we can when we can but with nothing major that Hizthrowup could take and use against our allies. If you remove the internationally recognized terrorist organization from Lebanon, I would offer a couple of F16's.
over 8 years
Thank you USA
over 8 years
looool
over 8 years
One? You'll get 5
Cessna? Israel will laugh.
Buy from Russia instead.
They already offered the LAF a Tos-1 system.
Ofcourse March 14 rejected that.