BEIRUT, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A senior British official on Wednesday said Britain is keen to continue supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to maintain stability across Lebanon.
"In times of need, the UK (the United Kingdom) stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Lebanon and our partners around the world to tackle shared challenges," James Heappey, the British armed forces minister, was quoted as saying in a statement released by the British embassy in Lebanon.
The statement came on the occasion of the minister's one-day visit on Tuesday to Lebanon, during which he met with Lebanese caretaker Minister of Defense Maurice Slim and the Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, and discussed military cooperation between the two countries.
At the Third Land Border Regiment on Lebanon's border with Syria, Heappey heard from senior Lebanese officers how the British work to enhance the capabilities of the regiment to counter cross-border smuggling and terrorist activity.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard said the Lebanese Armed Forces is crucial to ensuring Lebanon's stability and safeguarding the Lebanese people during these challenging times. ■