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Lebanon's military receives 3 helicopters from the US

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A Lebanese army pilot stands in front of a military Huey II helicopter during a ceremony at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 31, 2016. The United states has given Lebanon three military Huey II helicopters to help the country’s armed forces in their battle against extremists near the border with Syria. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

Lebanese army pilots inspect a military Huey II helicopter during a ceremony at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 31, 2016. The United states has given Lebanon three military Huey II helicopters to help the country’s armed forces in their battle against extremists near the border with Syria. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

Lebanese army soldiers stand with three military Huey II helicopters during a ceremony at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 31, 2016. The United states has given Lebanon three military Huey II helicopters to help the country’s armed forces in their battle against extremists near the border with Syria. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) (The Associated Press)

The United States has given Lebanon three military helicopters to help the country's armed forces in their battle against extremists near the border with Syria.

Thursday's delivery of three Huey II helicopters raises to 10 the number of such U.S.-made aircraft in Lebanon's fleet.

U.S. Charge d'Affaires and interim Ambassador Richard H. Jones said during a ceremony in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that the $26 million helicopters "demonstrate America's continued commitment to support" the army's modernization plans.

Washington has been a major supporter of Lebanon's army, which is fighting the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's Syrian branch in border areas.

Lebanon's deputy chief of staff, Gen. Manuel Kerjian, said U.S. military aid to Lebanon is boosting the level of combat preparedness "and consequently its capability to confront terrorist organizations."