Report: French Officials to Visit Beirut to Close Weapons Purchase Deal
A French delegation is expected to visit Beirut this week for further talks with the Lebanese army command on the purchase of French weapons under a Saudi grant.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement last week for Paris to provide the Lebanese military with the $3 billion worth of weapons paid for by Riyadh.
The deal, which was first announced last year December, aims to boost the army as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
According to As Safir daily, the French military and technical delegation will discuss with Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji and other high-ranking officers the implementation of the agreement.
During the meetings, the Lebanese army officials are expected to specify the remainder of weapons and ammunition they need, said the report.
It added that the army has not yet informed France what kind of arms it wants from the Saudi grant's remaining 150-300 million dollars.
As Safir quoted a French official as saying that the negotiations require no more than 50 days to close the purchase deal.
Lebanese sources also told the newspaper that Iran's announcement that it is ready to provide aid to the Lebanese army triggered a speedy deal between France and Riyadh.
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