NICOSIA [MENL] -- Lebanon has turned to former East Bloc nations for help in
overhauling its fleet of T-55 main battle tanks.Lebanese officials said the government of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
has turned to several former East Bloc states in Central and Eastern Europe
for spare parts and expertise in overhauling Lebanon's fleet of T-55 tanks.
The officials said the overhaul is required amid the failure by Beirut to
obtain French AMX-30 tanks from Arab allies.Lebanese Defense Minister Khalil Hrawi raised the issue with a
delegation from Bulgaria that arrived in Beirut
recently. Hrawi is said to have asked Bulgaria for parts for the T-55 as
well as other armored systems.The Lebanese military has a fleet of 180 T-55s and upgraded T-54 tanks.
The tanks were delivered in 1985.
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