Lebanese Leaders Hail Saudi Financial Grants to Preserve Situation

Several Lebanese officials lauded on Thursday Saudi Arabia for granting Lebanon additional financial aid to help it combat security threats.

Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel expressed concern in an interview with Saudi newspaper Okaz over the enormous challenges confronting Lebanon, considering that the second Saudi financial deal didn't surprise him.

“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has always been next to Lebanon... We appreciate his endeavors,” Gemayel said.

He pointed out that the “newest Saudi grant would fortify the Lebanese army's capabilities and enable it to foil extremist organizations that are threatening Lebanon's security and stability and increasing the risks of expanding in the Arab world.

Al-Mustaqbal movement leader and ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri declared on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has provided Lebanon's army with one billion dollars to strengthen security.

The Lebanese army has long complained of being sorely under-equipped.

“The kingdom never had any goals or interest in Lebanon.... It abides by the brotherly principles and the unity of the Arabs who share one fate,” the Christian leader told the daily.

Gemayel said that “the amount of risks facing Lebanon require the Lebanese to root the challenges from their origins.”

Later, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea sent a cable to Saudi King Abdullah, praising his “honorable” stance regarding Lebanon's sovereignty, independence and the freedom of its citizens.

In a statement issued by his press office, he saluted King Abdullah for representing “the moderation of Islam against those who are trying to hijack it and picture it as a religion of extremism, hatred and terrorism.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat also hailed financial grant, saying: “Once again Saudi Arabia proved it backs Lebanon's stability and security.”

“The kingdom still supports the Lebanese state by granting aid to the military,” he noted.

France and Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it would move quickly to answer a call from Lebanon for faster arms deliveries as it battles Islamist militants on the Syrian border.

Last December, Saudi Arabia agreed to finance a $3 billion deal to purchase military equipment and weapons from France for Lebanon's army, which has long complained of being sorely under-equipped.

But talks on the list of material to be furnished to the army under the Saudi-French deal have yet to be finalized.