U.S. Government Donates Additional $2.35 Million For De-Mining Activities in Lebanon

November 4, 2009

U.S. Ambassador Michele J. Sison and LMAC Commander Brigadier General Mohamed Fehmi inspect de-mining equipment donated by the U.S. to support LAF de-mining activities...

On November 4, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele J. Sison visited the headquarters of the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC), and announced that the U.S. Government has provided an additional $2.35 million in funding to support LMAC's de-mining activities in South Lebanon.  These funds will directly support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) de-mining activities, and allow for an increase in the number of teams working in the south. With this latest donation, the total U.S. contribution for demining, nonproliferation, and antiterrorism activities in Lebanon in 2009 has reached $5.2 million. 

Ambassador Sison was met by LMAC Commander Brigadier General Mohamad Fehmi and together they reviewed de-mining activities of the LAF as well as their NGO partner, the Mine Action Group (MAG).  They also viewed a display of the kinds of equipment the United States has made available to de-mining teams in Lebanon.  Ambassador Sison applauded the successes of the ordnance disposal teams, noting that "despite the inherent dangers of this work, these individuals are dedicated to making Lebanon safer.  The United States is Lebanon's biggest partner in supporting action to reduce the dangers to civilians posed by landmines and other unexploded ordnance. We actively support LMAC's humanitarian clearance program in Lebanon and are a key contributor to Lebanon's demining activities. Through these efforts, the U.S. will continue to help Lebanon become mine-free and a safer place for its citizens."

Since 2006, the U.S. government has contributed approximately $21 million to de-mining, munitions removal, victim assistance programs, and the maritime unexploded ordnance survey and removal program.  In addition to monetary contributions to LMACs operations, the United States has provided protective equipment for ordnance disposal teams, specialized training for LAF ordnance disposal specialists, ambulances equipped with emergency medical supplies, and other vehicles for transporting teams to the field.  The U.S. government partnership with the LAF in these humanitarian assistance programs have cleared 60.8 million square meters of productive land for safe use by the Lebanese people.  An additional 7.9 million square meters have been scheduled for clearance.