Speaking at the Rafik Hariri International Airport, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud said that the Sikorsky was the first of two helicopters expected to be delivered soon.

He added the ministry will also purchase 50 four-wheel drive vehicles for immediate intervention to prevent small fires from spreading.

Launched in 2008, the campaign aims to raise funds from the private sector and civil society to purchase fire-extinguishing helicopters and other necessary equipment. In March, Baroud was able to raise $200,000 in donations.

Baroud and Public Works and Transportation Minster Ghazi al-Aridi later flew in the helicopter to Baabda Palace where a symbolic "ignition" key was handed over to President Michel Suleiman.

Baroud praised collaboration between the ministries, civil society and private sector to "realize this project."

He said the purchase of fire-fighting equipments helps civil defense forces become "more efficient in responding to fires."

For his part, Aridi praised "this great achievement" as the outcome of "agreement and cooperation among the Lebanese." He voiced hope that politicians can also unite to "prevent political fires, which the president always tries to extinguish."

"We are all required to protect Lebanon from political fires and to seek reason, dialogue and goodwill to save this country," he said.

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