The US has approved the sale of 300 Humvees to cash-strapped Lebanon in a deal worth more than $55 million, tightening military co-operation between the two countries as relations strain over proposed financial sanctions.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a partner country that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the State Department said as it announced the move.
It added that the Humvees would “provide sufficient modern transport vehicles to improve Lebanon’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to move troops and supplies around the country to counter violent extremist organisations and to secure its border.”
Lebanon protests - in pictures
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Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a protest to denounce the naming of former premier Saad Hariri as a potential candidate as the country's new prime minister, in downtown Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo -
Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a protest against former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in downtown Beirut. EPA -
Anti-government protesters shout slogans during a protest against former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in downtown Beirut. EPA -
Supporters of former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri shout slogans against anti-government protesters during a protest against former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in downtown Beirut. EPA -
An anti-government protester holds an Arabic placard that reads: "Saad don't dream on it any more," during a protest to denounce the naming of former Prime minister Saad Hariri as a potential candidate as the country's new prime minister, in downtown Beirut. AP Photo -
Anti-government protesters carry a national flag during a protest against former Prime Minister Saad Hariri in downtown Beirut. EPA -
Members of the Lebanese security forces intervene after the ‘Revolution fist’, symbol of Lebanon’s October 2019 uprising, was set on fire during clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of former prime minister Saad Hariri, in the capital Beirut's central Martyr's square. AFP -
The symbol of the October revolution is set on fire allegedly by supporters of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri at Martyr's square. EPA -
The ‘Revolution fist’, symbol of Lebanon’s October 2019 uprising, burns after it was set on fire during clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of former prime minister Saad Hariri, in the capital Beirut's central Martyr's square. AFP -
A Lebanese man raises a national flag as the ‘Revolution fist’, symbol of Lebanon’s October 2019 uprising, burns after being torched during clashes between anti-government protesters and supporters of former prime minister Saad Hariri, in the capital Beirut's central Martyr's square. AFP
Lebanon has faced many security challenges in recent years, with a near 400-kilometre border with Syria allowing violence, arms and extremist groups to spill over into the cedar state.
The new vehicles, to be delivered in two batches, will join the Lebanese armed forces existing 1,000-strong fleet of Humvees.
As part of the sale, two US contractor representatives will be seconded to Beirut to assist with training and maintenance of the vehicles.
The armoured vehicles have become a familiar sight in Beirut, and across the country, being deployed for tasks ranging from embassy guard to duties to counter-terrorism operations.
The US is Lebanon’s top security partner, and in 2019 provided more than $218m worth of military aid to Lebanon’s armed forces.
Lebanon relies on donations from the US and other states for the bulk of its military hardware with defence spending largely taken up with ammunition procurement, salaries and pensions.
The deal comes as US-Lebanon relations have strained in recent months, with Washington sanctioning a slew of Lebanese government officials over their links to Hezbollah.
Last week it was reported that the Trump administration was threatening to sanction the country’s central bank in a move that could see the country’s ailing financial system isolated from the international economy.
