Having already received US$400 million from the United States since 2006, the Lebanese military has just received another boon from the U.S. — the Raven RQ-11 UAV.

The UAV is incorporated as part of a new aid package from Washington to Lebanon and the unmanned aircraft arrived in Beirut on Monday. The 4.5 pound, 38-inch wingspan craft will be used as a reconnaissance tool in combatting terrorist activities, according to the Naharnet news agency. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut released a statement to the effect that the goal of such military assistance is to strengthen Lebanon's Armed Forces in the defense of the country's territory. This package was negotiated last February by Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaj during his visit to Washington D.C.