US delivers Cessna aircraft to Lebanese air force

The US Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale handed on Wednesday an American Cessna aircraft to the Lebanese Air Force , as part of the two-pronged cooperation on the security level between the two countries. According to the National News Agency (NNA), the delivery took place Wednesday at the air base at Beirut International Airport, where Hale 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. He said "this aircraft shall help the Lebanese army carry out efficient missions to protect the security of borders and fight the threats of extremist groups." He added "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 one billion U.S. dollars since 2006, are the cornerstone of partnership between the two countries." "There must be stability and state institutions in Lebanon that are responsible for the Lebanese people, instead of unelected parties that are accountable before foreign sides." The US handed the Lebanese air force earlier this year 6 HUEY helicopters in addition to a marine boat.