UK, Canada Sign Partnership Agreement to Help Lebanese Army
Britain and Canada signed on Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding to increase assistance to the Lebanese army against rising terrorist threats.
“I am very pleased to welcome Canada’s partnership in standing by Lebanon’s stability and security. The MOU secures an additional $500,000 for the Land Border Regiments Project, which supports Lebanese soldiers tasked with securing and protecting Lebanon’s borders from the Syrian overspill,” British Ambassador Designate Hugo Shorter said.
“This additional support - coupled with other commitments of the UK, Canada and other partners - will help ensure a safe and secure Lebanon,” he said at the signing ceremony at the British Embassy in Beirut.
Canadian Ambassador agrée Michelle Cameron stated that Ottawa is pleased to join the efforts of the international community to support the Lebanese army through its partnership with the UK on the project.
“Canada’s contribution includes financial and technical support for the erection of two border surveillance towers,” said the diplomat.
The towers will enhance the resilience of the army “to prevent and respond to security threats along the Lebanese border with Syria,” she said.
Canada is committed to supporting the important and vital mission of the Lebanese military to counter terrorist threats and to safeguard Lebanon’s stability, Cameron stated.
“This support is part of Canada’s broader engagement in Lebanon and the region, which includes a commitment of $1.6 billion CDN ($1.15 billion) over the next three years to provide security, stabilization, humanitarian and development assistance in response to the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on Lebanon and Jordan,” the ambassador added.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff Brigadier General Maroun Hitti, Lt. Colonel Ashraf Kabbara, Lt. Colonel Fadel Farhat and British Defense attaché Lt. Colonel Chris Gunning.
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