They are strategically located along the border – 39 watch towers protecting Lebanon from an Islamic State invasion. The 30ft towers, including seven used by the Army in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, are part of a £62million drive to repel IS forces based in Syria. A total of 11,000 Lebanese troops have been trained by a UK team, including 40 veterans, in how to use the towers to spot approaching terrorists since the project began in 2012. He said: ‘We have helped the Lebanese army prevent the murderous spread of the Syrian civil war into Lebanon. British ambassador to Lebanon, Chris Rampling, said: ‘For the first time ever we now have a border that is secure.’

Source: Daily Mail January 26, 2019 01:52 UTC