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Fallon reaffirms UK’s relationship with Lebanon

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to support Lebanon in protecting itself against terrorism, including the threat of ISIL. Fallon has met with Lebanese Minister of Defence Samir Mokbel in London to discuss strengthening the defence relationship between the two nations. In addition to debating common interests such as regional security, the ministers reviewed the role Lebanon plays in the counter-ISIL coalition. Fallon said: “The spread of terrorism from ISIL represents a threat to us all, and Lebanon is on the front line. Lebanon is an important defence ally and we have increased our support to help develop the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) so they are able to strengthen their borders and protect their people.” The UK will be supporting the LAF in a number of ways, including: providing more than £25 million to date for equipment, mentoring and training to help them build and equip three Land Border Regiments (LBRs) operating along the border with Syria; deploying around 20 Short Term Training Teams to Lebanon each year, to train the LAF in counter terrorism, search and rescue and military intelligence; committing an additional spend of more than £20 million to further bolster LBRs from the threat of the Syria and Iraq conflicts; and funding Internal Security and Urban Operations Training, delivered by former UK military, at Hamat Air Base. The UK has spent around £7 million on this training and committed a further £4.5 million over the next three years. To date, around 7,000 LAF personnel have been trained; offering a range of training courses in the UK including at the Royal College of Defence Studies, Staff Courses at Dartmouth, Sandhurst and Lympstone.

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