Three helicopters offered as a donation from the American Authorities to the Lebanese army Forces

Beirut Airbase hosted this morning the handover ceremony of three HUEY II helicopters offered as a donation from the American authorities to the Lebanese Army Forces under the American Assistance Program. The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff for Equipment, Brigadier General P.S.C. Pilot Ziad Heikal, the United States Ambassador to Lebanon Mrs. Dorothy Shea, and a number of officers and participants.

Ambassador Shea affirmed the continuation of work to consolidate relations between the United States and Lebanon, and her country's continuation of the assistance program for the Lebanese army in training development and provision of high military equipment and technologies, based on confidence in the performance of the professional army and its role in preserving Lebanon's security.

On the other hand, Brigadier General P.S.C. Heikal delivered a speech in which he said: "Our country is going through a phase that may be the most dangerous in its history, as the economic crisis has weighed heavily on the social situation and is now threatening the citizens' livelihood. At the same time, the military institution continues to carry out its missions in defense of Lebanon, its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and assumes the responsibility for monitoring and controlling borders, and continues the war on terrorism with its subversive networks and cells. Hence, we see that the military assistance provided to the army, especially in terms of enhancing its air capabilities, develops the operational capacitiea of the Air Force and serves our national goals.”

He concluded by thanking the American authorities and Ambassador Shea for the repeated initiatives to enhance the capabilities of the military institution.