U.S: The Army is the only legitimate protector of Lebanon against extremism

Share:

david  Hale , US ambassadorU.S Ambassador  to Lebanon David Hale said Monday that the Lebanese Army and state security institutions  were the only legitimate protectors of Lebanon against extremism.

Hale urged the Lebanese during a reception  marking US independence to remain committed to their state institutions, “which are so much stronger than the false ideology of extremism,” and to stand by their Army and security services.

“Those institutions, after all, alone have the legitimate role of defending the state and its borders, and are accountable to all the Lebanese people,” Hale stressed

The ambassador added that extremist groups from across the border in Syria seek to sow seeds of hate, divide the Lebanese people, and destroy shared values of mutual respect and understanding.

Hale highlighted that the United States and the international community were committed to helping Lebanon by contributing to the Army’s means to defend it.

The ambassador provided a breakdown of aid packages and grants allotted to Lebanon, among which is $83 million donated since last August to the Army to protect borders and safeguard Lebanese citizens.

In addition, the U.S. gave $70 million this past year to deliver clean water and support high-quality education, and almost $800 million was earmarked since 2012 to help Lebanon and local communities cope with the burden of Syrian refugees. “These are just a few examples of how my government supports Lebanon at a time of stress,” he said.

Hale saluted the long-standing ties and strength of the Lebanese-American relationship.

He explained that it is a relationship that stretches back before the U.S.’ independence, when merchant ships from Boston, Massachusetts, visited Beirut’s port to do business.

Hale added that ties stretched back to the early 19th century, when American educators and missionaries came to Beirut and Mount Lebanon, a presence that led to the founding “of several great American-Lebanese universities and high schools that flourish today.”

Lebanese Brigadier General Manuel Kirejian (2nd R) chats with U.S. ambassador to Lebanon David Hale (C) as they review weapons donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army during a ceremony at Beirut's port February 8, 2015. (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir)
Lebanese Brigadier General Manuel Kirejian (2nd R) chats with U.S. ambassador to Lebanon David Hale (C) as they review weapons donated by the U.S. government to the Lebanese army during a ceremony at Beirut’s port February 8, 2015. (REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir)

Hale noted that the relations deepened with the arrival of Lebanese immigrants to the United States, searching for new opportunities as America and its economy grew.

“Their descendants, proud Americans of Lebanese origin, have contributed so much to the development of America, and I salute those here tonight. Many helped fund this event,” Hale said.

Hale said America and Lebanon have deep bonds of friendship, business, culture and education. “These bonds are enduring because they spring from the commitments and effort of private Americans and private Lebanese,” he added.

“But my government is proud to support these relationships through robust assistance and cultural and educational exchange programs that benefit Lebanese from all parts of Lebanon and all walks of life.”

Share:

Comments

22 responses to “U.S: The Army is the only legitimate protector of Lebanon against extremism”

  1. 5thDrawer Avatar
    5thDrawer

    Wow … Hale is reading me. :-))

    1. Thanks for confirming your biased views.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        Welcome. I assume they meet yours.

        1. Never assume coz it makes an ass out of u and me

          1. Hannibal Avatar
            Hannibal

            The Only ass in here is yOu……

          2. Wow more old man “wittiness “

          3. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            Quite good, really, at times … hehehe

          4. Hind Abyad Avatar
            Hind Abyad

            You’d think he copies the Sailfishst

          5. MaImequer0 Avatar
            MaImequer0

            maybe it’s a conspiracy eh sweetie??? puff puff

          6. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            Good thing I don’t twitter … But THANKS for the recipe pages. Looks GREAT.

          7. MaImequer0 Avatar
            MaImequer0

            no worries… but all the dishes do not go good with scotch.

          8. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            Obviously you are unaware … the Scotch comes AFTER the meal, with a good cigar.
            Wine is used for the meal.

          9. MaImequer0 Avatar
            MaImequer0

            yeah, you and monica would know about a good cigar eh…

          10. 5thDrawer Avatar
            5thDrawer

            If you ever travelled to Cuba, you would find many Ladies enjoy them too.
            If you are plugging like ISIS for no smokes or alcohol, then just come out and say it.
            And then, bugger off.

          11. The Sunni Muslima’s poetry makes her ass jealous of all the shit that comes out of her mouth. a half wit gave her a piece of his mind and she kept it lol.

    2. Moronite Avatar
      Moronite

      Thanks, we dont need more as we are well taken care of as we have Gollum, Lord of the Shia’tins, Fat tranny-nasty and his hezzipigs, Pee’ra’ou’n, Daesh, our master zionists, Moronite militias, Lebanese army, and a whole other shit lot unlike those poor unarmed scared Sunnis in Tripoli who are left to fend for themselves for mere daily necessities.

      1. 5thDrawer Avatar
        5thDrawer

        But … they (all the gangs) only had Toyotas … Army gets Hummers. ;-))
        (and food is not distributed with equality…)

  2. Mr ambassador , Lebanon more help for the Lebanese army to protect Lebanon and to get rid of hizbullah. Any additional weapons can get rid of the cancer living in beirut

  3. Fauzia45 Avatar
    Fauzia45

    That is right !!!Only ^The army and the state institutions are legitimate^!!!!!

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Although, Fauzia, to be fair, we should note the general incompetence of the ‘state institution’ …

      1. Fauzia45 Avatar
        Fauzia45

        That s true !However how can any government or any institution function in the presence of strong armed militias that control!!!!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *