The United States granted 10.5 million U.S. dollars worth of military equipment to the Lebanese army, the U.S. embassy in Lebanon said on Thursday.

Visiting U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Peter Rodman signed a deal with Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr on Thursday to provide the equipment, the U.S. embassy said in a statement.

"I emphasized the willingness of the United States to assist Lebanon in building its capacity to protect its borders and establish sovereignty over all its territory," Rodman was quoted as saying.

"Through this transaction, the first through U.S. Foreign Military Financing in more than 25 years, the United States is contributing to the building of a modern, professional Lebanese army," he said.

The U.S. official noted that his country was "proud" to work with the Lebanese government "to ensure that its armed forces are trained and equipped to serve and protect the Lebanese people."

Thursday's agreement is part of a U.S. pledge to supply Lebanon with more than 40 million dollars in assistance.

The Lebanese army deployed in southern Lebanon under a UN Security Council resolution ending the 34-day conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas who had previously controlled the area.

Source: Xinhua