Lebanese army unit takes part in Syrian naval exercises

At the directives of President Hafez al-Assad, the Syrian naval forces with the participation of a unit from the Lebanese army Thursday carried out a marine maneuver. Live ammunition was used alongside other types of Syrian weapons and jet fighters.

Syrian officials sources said that Chief of staff of the army and armed forces, Lt. Gen. Ali Aslan, his deputy, Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahman al-Sayyad, and high-ranking army officers in Syria and Lebanon attended the executive phase of the maneuvers.

Syrian television, while highlighting news of the maneuvers, showed shots of helicopters and shots of several missiles launched at targets hitting them directly in the air and sea.

The participating Lebanese unit took part in a naval landing operation. The tactical project's executive commander said the aim of the project is to strengthen the fighting capabilities of the participating units as well as to carry out fighting exercises in conditions similar to those of modern fighting.