Hale: It Will Take a Long Time to Equip Lebanese Army!
Source: Al-Manar TV, 16-10-2008
"Lebanese expectations concerning the speed for developing the military institution seem unrealistic!"
The "precious" declaration was delivered by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Easter Affairs David Hale, in the course of seeking to justify the delay in providing the Lebanese army with the "valuable" US aid. The US official has, indeed, "assured" Lebanese that it will take a long time to provide the army with weapons, claiming that building a capable army needs time.
One week ago, a joint statement by the US 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 US grants to the Lebanese army for secure communications, ammunition and infantry weapons.
Meanwhile, Hale said that the US administration was backing the Lebanese army in order to achieve three specific goals: to protect the people, fight terror and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Although he described members of the army as professional, he said the military lacked funding in the past years. The US official claimed that the army was subject to a process of "Syrianization" during that period. He pointed that "for two decades the army lacked funding and equipment despite the fact that its elements maintained good professionalism."
He said the joint military commission set up by the US and Lebanon earlier this month is a type of cooperation reserved to few allies in the region.
Hale denied he would make monthly visits to Beirut, adding that he would next be visiting Beirut when American ambassador Michelle Sisson considers it the right time.
He told As Safir that the US 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.
CIA CHIEF IN BEIRUT?
Meanwhile, CIA chief Michael Hayden is set to arrive to Beirut in a "suspicious" visit aimed at discussing with top Lebanese officials ways to cooperate in the fight against terror.
Lebanese daily As-Safir quoted sources in Washington as saying that Hayden will visit the Lebanese capital on Thursday for talks that will mainly focus on security cooperation to fight terrorism on the regional and international levels.
The daily said that a US military delegation will also arrive in Beirut before the end of the week to discuss military coordination.
"Lebanese expectations concerning the speed for developing the military institution seem unrealistic!"
The "precious" declaration was delivered by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Easter Affairs David Hale, in the course of seeking to justify the delay in providing the Lebanese army with the "valuable" US aid. The US official has, indeed, "assured" Lebanese that it will take a long time to provide the army with weapons, claiming that building a capable army needs time.
One week ago, a joint statement by the US 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 US grants to the Lebanese army for secure communications, ammunition and infantry weapons.
Meanwhile, Hale said that the US administration was backing the Lebanese army in order to achieve three specific goals: to protect the people, fight terror and implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
Although he described members of the army as professional, he said the military lacked funding in the past years. The US official claimed that the army was subject to a process of "Syrianization" during that period. He pointed that "for two decades the army lacked funding and equipment despite the fact that its elements maintained good professionalism."
He said the joint military commission set up by the US and Lebanon earlier this month is a type of cooperation reserved to few allies in the region.
Hale denied he would make monthly visits to Beirut, adding that he would next be visiting Beirut when American ambassador Michelle Sisson considers it the right time.
He told As Safir that the US 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.
CIA CHIEF IN BEIRUT?
Meanwhile, CIA chief Michael Hayden is set to arrive to Beirut in a "suspicious" visit aimed at discussing with top Lebanese officials ways to cooperate in the fight against terror.
Lebanese daily As-Safir quoted sources in Washington as saying that Hayden will visit the Lebanese capital on Thursday for talks that will mainly focus on security cooperation to fight terrorism on the regional and international levels.
The daily said that a US military delegation will also arrive in Beirut before the end of the week to discuss military coordination.
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