French deliver armored vehicles to Lebanon

June 1 (UPI) -- Five armored vehicles donated to the Lebanese Army by France were delivered recently at the Lebanese logistics brigade facility in Kfar Chima.

The vehicles -- two refurbished armored vanguard vehicles and three others to supply spare parts -- were the first of 15 armored personnel carriers promised to Lebanon in 2016 by then-President François Hollande, the French Embassy in Lebanon said in a press release.

"Our bilateral dialogue identified the need for long-range direct fire capability, in particular to better deal with terrorist groups in the Ersal region, so we decided to provide the Lebanese Army with 15 missile-armed armored vehicles," Arnaud Pescheux , Chargé d'Affaires of the French Embassy in Lebanon said at the handover.

"I am very pleased today to witness the delivery of the first part of this donation, with the delivery of two refurbished vehicles and three older vehicles to be used as sources for spare parts."

The handover took place at a ceremony in the presence of Gen. Bertrand Boyard, head of the French Armament Control Division of the Armed Forces General Staff, as well as Lebanese and French officers.

Operational vehicles being provided by France are equipped with the HOT long-range anti-tank system.

France, in addition to ammunition and spare parts, is also providing training for drivers and maintainers.

The value of the 15 vehicles, ammunition, spare parts and training carry a value of about $33.6 million.