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Lebanese Army Gets Two A-29 Light-attack Aircraft From US


An A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft is seen in Hamat Air Base in Lebanon's mountains, Oct. 31, 2017.
An A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft is seen in Hamat Air Base in Lebanon's mountains, Oct. 31, 2017.

The United States delivered two A-29 Super Tucano light-attack aircraft to Lebanon's army on Tuesday, a sign of continued U.S. support despite Israeli accusations that the Lebanese military is controlled by Hezbollah.

The planes will be used as armed observation aircraft, a security source in Lebanon said, and represent a big upgrade for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

Earlier this month, U.S. ally Israel said Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim movement, had gained control over Lebanon's conventional military, a charge the Lebanese army denies.

Hezbollah, which was designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department in 1997, last fought Israel in a war in 2006. Lebanon is formally in a state of war with Israel.

"The significant increase in LAF combat capability that this aircraft represents will ensure that the LAF will remain a national unifying force, a bulwark against extremism and terrorism," said U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Richard.

The Islamic State militant group held a pocket of land straddling Lebanon's border with Syria until August.

Over the last decade, the U.S. government has invested over $1.5 billion in training and equipment, and has trained over 32,000 Lebanese troops, Richard said.

"We have recently announced another $120 million in foreign military financing, which brings the total investment in the LAF to over $160 million just this year," she said. The United States will deliver another four Super Tucanos to Lebanon.

The two new aircraft — which have advanced combat and surveillance capabilities — will "make a qualitative leap in improving the aerial capabilities of the LAF," said Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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