NNA - US Ambassador to Lebanon, David Hale, on Wednesday handed the Lebanese Army an American Cessna aircraft, as part of the two-pronged cooperation on the security level between the two countries.



The event took place today at the air base at Beirut International Airport, in presence of a representative of Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji, a military brass, and a delegation of officers of the US embassy.



"This aircraft shall help the Lebanese army carry out efficient missions to protect the security of borders and fight the threats of extremist groups," Hale said in a word delivered on the occasion.


"The security institutions in Lebanon are a key pillar of the state's strength and our help to these institutions, which have amounted to more than USD one billion since 2006, are the cornerstone of partnership between the two countries," he added.



The envoy maintained that the United States strongly believed the Lebanese army was the sole legitimate defense force in Lebanon, vowing to carry on commitment to beefing up the capacities of the Lebanese army.



"There must be stability and state institutions in Lebanon that are responsible before the Lebanese people, instead of unelected parties that are accountable before foreign sides," he concluded.



===========R.A.H.