US ships heavy weapons to Beirut to counter IS

The Lebanese army has received a shipment of more that $25m of US weapons, including heavy artillery.

The munitions, which arrived on Sunday are to help in the fight against militants, namely the Nusra Front and the Islamic state group, who have staged numerous attacks in Lebanon.

"We are fighting the same enemy, so our support for you has been swift and continuous," said the US ambassador to Beirut, David Hale, as the weapons arrived.

Among the cache were 72, M198 towed artillery pieces, and more than 25 million rounds of shells, mortar bombs, and rifle ammunition.

Support for the Lebanese military remains a top priority for the US.

"Support for the [Lebanese military] remains a top priority for the US. Recent attacks against Lebanon's army only strengthen America's resolve to stand in solidarity with the people of Lebanon to confront these threats," the US embassy said.

The US has been wary of seeing the Lebanese army bolster its capabilities by any great degree due to the cooperation enjoyed with Hezbollah and for fear that it could harm the interests of their prime ally in the region, Israel.

Shifting interests

The chaos in Syria however means that the enemies now have a shared interest in curbing the rising force of extreme militant Sunni groups.

Hezbollah is actively involved in fighting alongside the Syrian army and has cooperated to a high degree in the policing of the border regions.

The US and its allies have also been keen to stave off the numerous offers by the Iranians to provide military support to the Lebanese state security services.

Nevertheless Lebanon was the fifth largest recipient of US foreign military aid in 2014, the embassy said.

"In 2014 alone, the US provided over $100m to the [Lebanese military], adding to the $1bn in assistance provided... since 2006," said the statement.

The big ticket weapons

France also pledged Sunday to deliver to the Lebanese army $3bn worth of arms within two months.

The arms deal is funded by a grant from Saudi Arabia, brokered late last year by the Lebanese Sunni politician Saad Hariri, who also has Saudi nationality and enjoys close relations with the Saudi royal family.

"Prime Minister Tammam Salam was informed by the French foreign minister that the first shipment of weapons...will arrive to Lebanon in the first week of April," read a statement from the Lebanese PM's office.

The Lebanese security forces have also received support from the UK in fortifying their defences along the notoriously porous border with Syria.