France Delivers Armored Vehicles to Lebanese Army

The French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton, on behalf of his government, Thursday handed over eight Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the Lebanese armed forces at a ceremony held at the UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura.

The APCs were deployed with French troops in UNIFIL and had been returned to French Army control. France decided to release them directly to the armed forces.

France is a major contributor to the peacekeeping force in south Lebanon since early years of its deployment.

In line with U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, UNIFIL has regularly urged countries to assist the Lebanese armed forces through providing equipment and expertise with the aim of enhancing the operational capabilities of its strategic partner in south Lebanon.

UNIFIL has on several occasions delivered mainly four-wheel-drive vehicles and other equipment to the Lebanese army.

The delivery of the APCs by France today highlights the significance of the partnership between the armed forces and UNIFIL.

The ceremony was attended by UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Alberto Asarta Cuevas and Brigadier-General Rifaat Shukr, representing Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, UNIFIL Director of Mission Support, Girish Sinha, and the UNIFIL Chief of Staff, French Brigadier-General Xavier de Woillemont.

The Armored Personnel Carriers are in good running condition.

Related spare parts have also been provided to allow regular maintenance.