Time Needed to Have Capable Lebanese Army
The U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs has said the U.S. administration was backing the Lebanese army to protect the people, fight terror and implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701.
David Hale also told As Safir newspaper”s Washington correspondent in remarks published Thursday that building a capable Lebanese army would take time.
Although he described members of the army as professional, he said the military lacked funding in the past years.
The U.S. official stated that the army was subject to a process of "Syrianization" during that period.
He also spoke of "unrealistic Lebanese expectations concerning the speed for developing the military institution."
Hale pointed that "for two decades the army lacked funding and equipment despite the fact that its elements maintained good professionalism."
His remarks were translated into English by Naharnet.
He said the joint military commission set up by the U.S. and Lebanon earlier this month is a type of cooperation reserved to few allies in the region.
A joint statement by the U.S. embassy in Beirut and the Lebanese army has said the commission will provide an annual opportunity to discuss military cooperation. It also said the two sides signed three new military contracts worth $63 million in U.S. grants to the Lebanese army for secure communications, ammunition and infantry weapons.
Hale denied he would make monthly visits to Beirut, adding that he would come to Lebanon when U.S. ambassador Michele Sison says time is ripe for such a visit.
He told As Safir that the U.S. was awaiting results of consultations in Lebanon over what type of helicopters the Lebanese army needs to fight terrorism.
Hale also reiterated there would be no change in U.S. policy towards Syria.