A senior Iranian official said Tehran will supply the Lebanese army with military equipment to be used in fighting Muslim extremist groups, according to the Associated Press.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, did not elaborate on the type of equipment Iran would provide. He told reporters in Beirut on Tuesday, Sept 30, that the details would be announced during an upcoming visit by Lebanon's defense minister to Tehran.

The Lebanese army has been fighting Muslim militants near the border with Syria for the past two months.

In early August, extremists crossed into Lebanon from Syria, capturing 20 soldiers and policemen. Two of the soldiers have since been beheaded and one has been killed in captivity.

The U.S. has also recently sent several arms shipments to Lebanese troops to fight extremists.