U.S. Special Envoy Visits Lebanon

November 13, 2008

Ambassador Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr., Special Envoy for MANPADS (Man Portable Air Defense Systems) visited Lebanon November 11-13.   Accompanied by Ambassador Michele J. Sison, Ambassador Bloomfield met with Lebanese governmental and defense officials.  The discussions focused on Lebanese efforts at MANPADS control and destruction. 

Countering the proliferation of MANPADS is a national security priority of the U.S. and Lebanon has joined with the U.S. and numerous other countries to counter this threat.  With U.S assistance and international cooperation, more than 26,000 loosely secured, illicitly held, or otherwise at-risk MANPADS have been destroyed since 2003.

Since 2006, the United States has committed over $1 billion to Lebanon including $4.5 million in 2008 towards de-mining and the upgrade of Lebanese Armed Forces ammunition installations.  Ambassador Bloomfield’s visit underscores the U.S. Government’s commitment to supporting the Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese people.