Press Releases: Conference in Support of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces

Press Statement

Heather Nauert

Department Spokesperson

Washington, DC

March 15, 2018

The United States today renewed its support for two of Lebanon’s vital national institutions, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF), in Rome at the conference in support of Lebanese state security services. U.S. delegate and Senior Bureau Official for Near Eastern Affairs, Ambassador David Satterfield, underscored that the LAF and ISF “are critical to Lebanese security and stability, and ultimately, to the survival of a stable, democratic, and prosperous Lebanon.”

The United States has provided nearly $1.7 billion to the LAF and over $160 million to the ISF since 2006. U.S. assistance for Lebanon’s security services helps advance our shared goals in the region, enabling the Lebanese government to provide civilian security and assert its authority throughout all of Lebanese territory.

In 2017, the United States provided over $250 million in security assistance to Lebanon, including $121 million in Foreign Military Financing. During the conference, Ambassador Satterfield announced part of the FY 2017 funds will be used to provide the LAF with three additional transportation helicopters, valued at $30 million, as well as a new $9 million investment in ISF training and facilities, subject to Congressional approval.

Examples of recent and upcoming U.S. support for Lebanese security services includes:

In August 2017, the LAF expelled the last remaining pockets of ISIS and al-Qa’ida from Lebanon using U.S.-provided systems and munitions, including 155mm Howitzers, M113 APCs, Huey helicopters, Cessna Caravans, Scan Eagle reconnaissance aircraft, and precision-guided munitions including Copperheads, Hellfires, and TOW missiles.
This year, the United States will complete the delivery of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and 32 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which are part of $340 million in assistance to improve the LAF’s strike capability in the air and to build its modern, mechanized maneuver capability on the ground.
Through International Military Education and Training (IMET), 946 members of the LAF (to include 86 in FY 2017) will have received U.S.-instructed training, which has increased professionalization, enhanced U.S. joint interoperability, and strengthened our enduring military-to-military relationship.