Britain has increased support for the Lebanese army to confront the extremist threat on its eastern border, Ambassador Tom Fletcher told Prime Minister Tammam Salam in a meeting Wednesday.
“I have briefed Prime Minister Tammam Salam on the decision to increase British support to help the steadfastness of Lebanon,” Fletcher said following the meeting at the Grand Serail in Beirut.
“And as part of the British support for Lebanon's stability, we have increased tenfold our support for the Lebanese army,” he added.
Fletcher said Britain would also equip the army's Third Border Regiment, in the hopes that Lebanon would be able to fully control its border and prevent more confrontations.
“Our new support for the army will help tackle extremists,” Fletcher tweeted following the talks.
“ISIS should not underestimate the strength of the Lebanese people or the commitment of Lebanon’s allies,” he wrote.
The Lebanese army is engaged in battles against extremist jihadists spread along the Lebanon's eastern border with Syria.
Fletcher said he also discussed with Salam ways to help Syrian refugees and Lebanese youth, saying it was important "to get every child in Lebanon" enrolled in school.
