BEIRUT, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Hale said here on Friday that Washington would supply tanks to the Lebanese army.

    Speaking to reporters after meeting Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Seniora, Hale said the United States would deliver M-60 tanks along with some other weaponry to the Lebanese army in the spring of 2009.

    Hale, however, did not disclose how many tanks would involve in the plan.

    The United States is committed to providing the equipment and training which the Lebanese armed forces need to "maintain domestic security and combat terrorism in Lebanon," he added.

    Hale denied the U.S. plan is linked to a Russian announcement on Wednesday that it would donate 10 MiG-29 fighter jets to Lebanon.

    According to a statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Lebanon, Washington has been carrying out a military aid plan worth 410 million U.S. dollars to the Lebanese army since 2006, including communication systems, weapons and transportation vehicles.

    On Friday, Hale, who arrived in Beirut on Thursday, also met Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, according to local media.