Jumblat Calls for Responding to Saudi Aid Positively, Says State 'Only Sanctuary for All Lebanese'

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Tuesday described the announced Saudi donation to the Lebanese Army as an “important step,” urging all parties to respond to it positively.

“It is a must to laud and hail the important step that was achieved through the Saudi-French cooperation that is aimed at supporting and boosting the capabilities of the Lebanese Army,” said Jumblat in a statement issued by the PSP.

“It is a generous and welcome initiative that came at the right time to support the military institution as it performs its missions amid very complicated circumstances,” he added.

Jumblat noted that “strengthening the Lebanese army's capabilities at this moment carries extraordinary significance, especially amid the Israeli threats and daily territorial, maritime and aerial violations practiced by Israel against Lebanon.”

He also pointed out that “the arduous missions of protecting stability and civil peace require strengthening the army and security forces to avoid descending into further deterioration.”

Accordingly, Jumblat called on “all the components of the Lebanese political society” to respond to the Saudi initiative positively, “especially that it serves the interest of the state, which remains the only sanctuary for all Lebanese, regardless of the circumstances and major domestic and regional transformations.”

The PSP leader noted that these developments “must be a bigger motive to embrace the state and the military and security agencies that belong to all Lebanese without exception or discrimination.”

On Sunday, President Michel Suleiman announced that Saudi Arabia has pledged to grant Lebanon three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.

On Sunday, President Michel Suleiman announced that Saudi Arabia has pledged to grant Lebanon three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.

In an interview on LBCI television on Monday evening, caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn said his Hizbullah-led political camp has certain concerns that “the donation to the army might be part of the domestic political bickering in the country.”