U.S. to deliver more weapons to Lebanese military

Beirut — The U.S. ambassador to Lebanon says Washington will soon deliver additional weaponry to help bolster the Lebanese military as it faces a growing threat from militants from Syria.

Ambassador David Hale says the deliveries come in response to a request from the Lebanese armed forces for emergency assistance after Islamic militants overran a Lebanese town near the Syrian border, killing and kidnapping soldiers.

Hale did not provide a price tag for the new assistance, but said on Thursday that it is part of a long-standing partnership with the Lebanese military.

He says the U.S has provided more than $1 billion in military assistance since 2006, including more than $120 million in training and equipment since October.