US donates military aircraft to help fight Lebanese militancy

The United States has delivered a new Cessna aircraft to the Lebanese army to help the tiny Arab country fight militancy and conduct border security missions.

Washington "is proud" to handover the aircraft, the third in the Lebanese army's air force, US Ambassador to Lebanon Elizabeth Richard said during the handover ceremony at Beirut's international airport on Monday.

A US embassy statement said the Cessna is equipped with Hellfire missiles and day and night targeting systems.

It says the aircraft is part of a "total package" that includes maintenance support and training with a combined value of about $30 million.

Washington has been a major supporter of Lebanon's army, which is fighting the Islamic State group and al-Qaida's Syrian branch in border areas.

On Monday, Lebanon established a new 30-minister government bringing together parties from across the country's diverse political spectrum.

The announcement of the new cabinet, made at the Baabda Presidential Palace in the hills above Beirut, comes six weeks after the election of Michel Aoun as President, following a two year presidential vacuum.

Prime Minister Saad Hariri has described the new cabinet as a “government of entente”.

Speaking in Baabda Hariri said that in the coming months the government would work towards establishing a new electoral law in preparation for parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2017, which would “include a quota for women”.