U.S. delivers artillery to Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Dozens of U.S.-made artillery systems and millions of rounds of ammunition have been delivered to the Lebanese armed forces by the United States.

The U.S. Embassy in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, said 70 howitzers, nearly 26 million rounds of ammunition and artillery of various sizes were delivered by merchant ship at Beirut port on Sunday.

"Today's shipment, from the generosity of the American people, is valued at over $25 million," Ambassador David Hale said. "Lebanon is now the fifth largest recipient in the world of U.S. military foreign assistance -- over $100 million last year, and over $1 billion in the last 8 years.

"We are fighting the same enemy, so our support for you has been swift and continuous. I am confident that, with the right equipment, Lebanon's soldiers can defend Lebanon successfully."

The artillery is to help Lebanon combat terrorist and extremist threats from neighboring Syria, where ISIS terrorists make their headquarters and where a variety of insurgent groups operate.