The UAE yesterday delivered the first four of ten Puma helicopters it committed to boost the airlift capability of Lebanon's armed forces.

The delivery is in line with President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's order to grant aircraft to the Lebanese Army.

Major General Pilot Fares Mohammad Al Mazroui, head of the Supplies Authority at the UAE Armed Forces, said Shaikh Khalifa's gesture comes within the framework of cooperation between the UAE and Lebanon and is in line with the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The remaining six helicopters will be delivered later this year.