RTR4OONA
Lebanese soldiers review ammunition and weapons donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army during a ceremony at Beirut's port February 8, 2015. More than 70 M198 Howitzers, as well as 26 million rounds of ammunition including small, medium, and heavy artillery rounds, were delivered on Sunday from the United States as military aid to the Lebanese army. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

The U.S. has sent some $25 million worth of weapons to Lebanon to help the latter support it fight against the ISIS extremists. The equipment included over 70 M198 howitzers and over 26 million rounds of ammunition and artillery. They were described to be “of all shapes and sizes, including heavy artillery.”

In a statement cited by Reuters, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale said the United States readily approved to send in the weapons because “we are fighting the same enemy, so our support for you has been swift and continuous.” He added the types of weapons given to the Lebanese troops were “top-of-the-line equipment … the best that there is in the marketplace.”

Brig. Gen. Naji Malaab, editor-in-chief of Defense and Security Arabia magazine, cited by the Daily Star, said the short and long range of the weapons will greatly aid the Lebanese Armed Forces in pushing back the jihadi groups on the border. “The weapons that the Army received will raise their standards and take them to another level,” he said. Hale assured the Lebanese of U.S. help “until the job is done.”

Hale told reporters this isn’t the first time Lebanon has received weapons worth over millions. In 2014, Lebanon received over $100 million, excluding the over $1 billion worth in the last eight years. Lebanon is the U.S.’ fifth-largest recipient of foreign military assistance.

Daily Star reported the M198 Howitzers, cannon-like artillery weapons that propel munitions at medium and long distances, will be used by the Lebanese army. It is lightweight, transportable and can be parachuted into battle zones.

Mario Abou Zeid, an analyst at the Carnegie Middle East Center, said the M198s will be extremely useful in the mountainous terrain on the borders of Lebanon. “The Army will need [this on] ... the outskirts of Arsal [and] the outskirts of Ras Baalbek. These are very mountainous areas that they need such midsized cannons.”

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