Qahwaji Rules Out Published Reports on Arms, Says Deals on 'Right Track'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji expressed on Thursday resentment from false news in publications, stressing that the two Saudi grants are on the right track.
“The weapons that are delivered to us as part of the two grants are new,” Qahwaji stressed in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
The high-ranking military official revealed that Lebanon didn't receive any equipment or weapons under the two grants by Saudi Arabia.
“Agreements to equip the army with weapons worth $500 million - part of the $one billion grant by Riyadh – are on the right track,” Qahwaji pointed out.
The military commander noted that Lebanon had already signed the final deal with France, which was also inked by the Saudi Finance Minister, Ibrahim al-Assaf.
“Everything is on the right track according to the signed agreements,” he remarked, strongly ruling out rumors.
An Nahar newspaper published in its issue on Wednesday a report saying that countries which signed a deal with Lebanon to deliver arms to its military to better equip it have handed over arms shipments that are substandard.
The army, so far, only received old equipment, the daily reported.
An Nahar said that the two grants by Riyadh to boost the capabilities of the army are part of a one billion dollars and three billion dollars grants are below expectations.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri made a surprise visit to Lebanon to announce that Saudi Arabia has provided Lebanon's army with one billion dollars in aid.
In December 2013 Saudi Arabia had granted three billion dollars for the purchase of arms from France for the benefit of the Lebanese army.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement in November to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
The Lebanese army is generally seen as a unifying force in Lebanon, and draws its ranks from all of the country's sects. But it has struggled to contain the escalating violence since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict.
Reports in November said that Paris will begin delivering weapons to the Lebanese military in the first quarter of 2015.
H.K.
G.K.
15 January 2015, 08:06
45
The weapons that are delivered to us as part of the two grants are new,” Qahwaji stressed in comments published in al-Mustaqbal newspaper.
But the paid mouthpiece and his aliases says otherwise:
_mowaten_
"as we have been telling you all along, these will never ship anything of worth to our army. keep bowing to them tho, maybe they'll send you an allowance and throw you a bone ...."
15 January 2015, 08:38
43
@eagle
This propagandist works for the same people who wrote such false reports about the army receiving used or sub standard equipment. He and his likes have been discrediting the deal ever it came into being. They are paid to distort and misinform and nothing will stop them. They are an integral part of HA war machine.
15 January 2015, 08:11
53
1 billion dollars yea right. Where is that 1 billion dollars or the 3 billion dollars promised over a year ago. Stop embarrassing yourself dude.
15 January 2015, 08:43
43
Je suis Flamethrower, Je suis alaouite, Je suis un terroriste
15 January 2015, 08:46
42
I remember when I was in Lebanon and it was Ramadan I was in place in dahieh, at a famous fast food place, I believe it was called abu ali falafel, but not sure, anyways. I was eating that tutifruity and people were looking at me with anger, until one guy came, told me something in Arabic "Allah Akbar, Labayka Ya Nassrallah or something Labayka Ya Hussein", and tried to take away my cup of fruits. Until a police or army some security guy, told the fanatic to back off.
15 January 2015, 11:34
41
It is an evidence that Ebola wishes the the LAF receives no weapons or old weapons. Ebola is specialized in propaganda and misinformation.
15 January 2015, 13:34
43
As with so many things in life, forces tend to clash with each other often. here in Lebanon we now have the forces of evil trying to clash with the very Will of the state of Lebanon. If the army stays weak, Hezbollah will remain strong and bully everyone under its will of subjugation. If the army becomes stronger, as it strengthens, Hezbollah is bound to weaken as it endless excuses and pretexts run out of validity. So the army will get the weapons, even if deep at heart Hezbollah hates the very issue, and the army command will keep its secrets to itself. Too bad for those who remain against a strong Lebanese state, with strong and capable constitutional institutions.
15 January 2015, 14:36
41
Excellent analysis Phoenix1. I still would like us to get the best of the best .... but that's ok.
15 January 2015, 14:11
53
General Qahwaji knows its best to remain diplomatic on the matter.
He also knows that Lebanon is red flagged from ever receiving serious weaponry, but he also knows that as long as the LAF & HA are one, then all outside threats will be met.
For those who make accusations that some prefer the LAF never receive serious weapons, then you're sadly mistaken....Every M8 - M14 would love nothing better...but reality please people...stop the lies & distortion.
15 January 2015, 14:24
42
wheres flamethrower to reply to your post?
or does it take a bit to sign in & out to reply to yourself ?
15 January 2015, 14:31
43
Nice try, only thing you missed here is Ex-fpm replying to your post is a sure thing, been the standard for years..rather embarrassing.
almost as embarrassing as iceman thinking his normajean etc.
FT rarely replies to my comments but when he does, its usually to correct me...like yesterday about LF_FPM meeting.
You & ex fpm only reinforce yourselves with backup replies on a very reg basis....but we understand why...go ahead.
15 January 2015, 14:45
31
What amazes is if the israelis lose one soldier they turn the world upside down to get him back either dead or alive yet this so called general coffee maker is doing nothing about our dear missing soldiers why? If i was a soldier guarding this guy i would be disgusted that he is my leader.
15 January 2015, 15:30
41
Good post JSL, but you see the old man, or the one who wishes to be called general, he is nothing but a has-been, the kind of the worst kind. If Aoun had an iota of dignity, he wouldn't accept to live amongst humans but in gutters, this truly disgusting man deserves no better. A true coward by all accounts.
15 January 2015, 16:03
23
Old man? yes he is....wishes to be called general? you must not be Lebanese or simply failed history..or maybe just a hater.
Whether you like it or not...history records him as General of the Lebanese armed forces....you can cry about it or lie about it..but you will never change the truth.
15 January 2015, 18:51
41
Roar, I was talking of the old man, and bingo you barge again into the scene, well, as angry as ever. You were away for a while, no sooner did you come back than we started seeing the language of hatred and ager from you. Anything unusual here? No sadly. But I am beginning to think that you are one of Aoun's daughters, that's all, otherwise why taking matters so personal?
15 January 2015, 18:59
03
shhhhhh , realize your use by date expired many moons ago.
move along mud slinger....all you're good for, as the truth is something foreign to an old fossil like you.
