Lebanon Monday received its first shipment of French weapons financed by a $3 billion Saudi arms grant announced nearly a year and a half ago.
Lebanon Monday received its first shipment of French weapons financed by a $3 billion Saudi arms grant announced nearly a year and a half ago.
In a ceremony marking the arrival of the long-anticipated and badly needed weapons, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel expressed confidence in the Army's ability to protect the country from extremists.
“Lebanon's victory against terrorism is a victory for all countries threatened by this terrorism,” Moqbel said in a joint news conference at the Beirut airport air base with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
The ceremony was also attended by Lebanese Army Commander Jean Kahwagi, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awwad Asiri, and many other officials.
Le Drian said France "has helped and will help Lebanon not to be dragged into chaos surrounding it," adding that French military assistance to Lebanon was a long-term process extending 10 years.
He said the French shipments would include dozens of armored vehicles and modern artillery warfare such the “Caesar” 155mm truck-mounted artillery system as well as many other types of weapons.
A senior Lebanese military official had said that the first arms shipment would be mainly anti-tank guided missiles.
Le Drian said France would also send 60 French officers to Lebanon in order to train soldiers on the use of the new weapons.
Kahwagi has said the military aid Lebanon received Monday will “[enhance] the Lebanese Army and increase its readiness and strength to confront terrorism and defend Lebanon’s borders.”
He said the French weapons “will greatly improve [the Army’s] situation.”
In a report from Paris, AFP said France is expected to deliver 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar attack helicopters, three small corvette warships and a range of surveillance and communication equipment over four years as part of the $3 billion modernization program.
The contract also promises seven years of training for the 70,000-strong Lebanese Army and 10 years of equipment maintenance.
“This project is to help us re-establish a Lebanese Army capable of responding to new security realities,” AFP quoted a French defense official as saying.
