BEIRUT: The United States handed over Lebanon a Cessna Aircraft Wednesday during a ceremony held at Beirut’s international airport as part of efforts to strengthen the Lebanese Army.

U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon David Hale said during a ceremony at Rafik Hariri International Airport that the transfer of the aircraft was a “reflection of the strong cooperation between the United States and Lebanon particularly on the security level.”

According to a U.S. Embassy statement, Hale also said the U.S. was committed to supporting Lebanon’s Army, which he described as “the only legitimate defense force” in the country.

“We will remain committed to strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese Armed Forces so it can pursue its mission of securing Lebanon’s borders, defending the sovereignty and independence of the state and of achieving Lebanese unity and stability, to enable the full implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1701 and 1559,” he said. [Link]