US donates vehicles to Lebanese police

BEIRUT: U.S. Ambassador David Hale Friday said the delivery of 23 prison vans to the Internal Security Forces will ease prison overcrowding and facilitate an important part of the judicial process.

Hale spoke at a ceremony at the police barracks in Dbayyeh to mark a new delivery of 38 vehicles to the ISF.

“The vehicles delivered today, valued at $1.6 million, include 23 prisoner transport vehicles that will allow the ISF to increase the number of prisoners that can be escorted to courts for hearings,” Hale said.

“This will alleviate prison overcrowding by addressing a key factor in the backlog of court cases and facilitating an important part of the judicial process,” he stressed.

Hale said the other vehicles – including five Dodge Ram pickup trucks, 23 Ford prisoner vans and 10 Ford Explorers – will be used by the Judicial Police in the conduct of their operations.

An embassy statement said Washington would provide the Internal Security Forces with over $20 million worth of equipment, specialized training and infrastructure support over the next 12 months.

“This will enhance the ISF’s operational effectiveness and improve the delivery of law enforcement services to the Lebanese public,” the statement said.

Hale praised the ISF as a “key pillar of public security in Lebanon.”

“The United States is proud of its longstanding partnership with the ISF to train and equip Lebanon’s police force,” he said at the ceremony.

Since 2008, the United States has provided over $140 million to the ISF.

“This assistance is comprehensive and ongoing,” Hale said.

Hale also hailed the ISF, the Lebanese Army and General Security for demonstrating “bravery and courage in their mission to protect Lebanon’s security and stability.”

“These security bodies have made many sacrifices in their confrontation with forces seeking to sow instability and division, and Lebanon is safer for these sacrifices," he said.

He encouraged cooperation and unity among Lebanon’s security services.

Hale reiterated Washington's commitment to working with the Lebanese people and Lebanon’s security institutions “to ensure this unity and build a more prosperous, secure Lebanon.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the kidnapped Army soldiers and ISF policemen,” he said in reference to the at least 22 servicemen held captive by Islamist militants.