France Delivers Arms to Bolster Lebanon's Defensive Capabilities
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanon received on Monday the first shipment of $3 billion worth of French arms under a Saudi-financed deal to boost the country's defensive capabilities to combat terror threats, along its northeastern border in particular.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who arrived in Lebanon on Sunday night and was welcomed by his Lebanese counterpart Samir Moqbel at Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport, reaffirmed in a brief speech the importance of preserving stability of Lebanon, pointing out that the army is paying the price of pressure enforced by terror groups
The ceremony was attended by Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Awadh Asiri, French Ambassador to Lebanon Patrice Paoli and other senior officials.
“The second batch of weapons will arrive in Lebanon next month,” Le Drian told reporters.
He revealed that around 60 French officers will also arrive in Lebanon to oversee the training of Lebanese troops and the implementation of the aid program.
The diplomat said that France will oversee the implementation of the Saudi deal over a timeframe of 10 years.
“We aim at modernizing and restructuring the security forces to enable it to enter a new era of leading military operations,” he noted.
Le Drian praised the Lebanese army's efforts to prevent terrorists from infiltrating the country, saying: “The army plays a significant role in Lebanon, in particular in its war against terrorism.”
“Lebanon is undergoing pressure by the Islamic State group and (al-Qaida-affiliate) al-Nusra Front, which constitutes a real challenge.”
For his part, Moqbel praised the efforts exerted by Lebanon's allies to bolster the capabilities of its army, in particular the United States.
Both officials hailed the endeavors exerted by former President Michel Suleiman to press forward the implementation of the deal, which was first announced during his tenure in 2013.
Asked about an Iranian pledge to offer aid to the Lebanese army, Moqbel said that the matter is in the hands of the cabinet, which is waiting for the U.N. Security Council to lift sanctions off Tehran.
“The Lebanese army is ready to accept any unconditional grant by any country,” the minister said.
"A victory for Lebanon against terrorism is a victory for all countries, near and far, who are threatened by terrorism," Moqbel added.
Asiri said the kingdom's financing came as "Lebanon faces more challenges than ever."
"The kingdom's gift will support the Lebanese army and legitimacy in Lebanon," he said.
"It is support for a legitimate army that ensures stability at a time when Lebanon faces security challenges."
Lebanon's allies are seeking to bolster the country's defenses against the Islamic State group and other jihadists pressing along its Syrian border.
France is expected to deliver 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar helicopters, three small Corvette warships and a range of surveillance and communications equipment over four years as part of the $3 billion (2.8 billion-euro) modernization program.
It is being entirely funded by Saudi Arabia, which is keen to see Lebanon's army defend its borders against jihadist groups, particularly the IS group and al-Nusra Front.
The contract also promises seven years of training for the 70,000-strong Lebanese army and 10 years of equipment maintenance.
Since the conflict in neighboring Syria broke out in 2011, Lebanon has faced mounting spill-over threats, first from the millions of refugees pouring across the border and increasingly from jihadists.
In August, the kingdom also offered another $1 billion in funds to allow the army to purchase supplies immediately.
Qahwaji later said that the French weapons are needed by the army during this stage and a necessity given the challenges it is facing.
Le Drian later met with Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh.
H.K.
M.T.
20 April 2015, 08:37
2313
But the incredible credible Flamethrower said this is a M14 lie because KSA will not activate the grant for weapons unless a M14 president was elected...
"France is currently discussing with Lebanon the delivery of arms to the Lebanese military under a $3 billion Saudi grant."
another M14 lie in the light of what KSA said: they will not activate the grant without an (M14) president."
20 April 2015, 08:47
2310
I think it is better to invite these stupid m8 posters to the ceremony so they can make sure the army is actually receiving these weapons :)
20 April 2015, 11:23
1024
awesome, there's at least 9 boxes in the pic, maybe even 10! looks like we made one hell of a deal here!
20 April 2015, 11:54
87
@mowaten E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-T. Still laughing since last month. Thank you
20 April 2015, 12:00
115
Mowaten I'm not a big poster here but I have been using this site for over 30 years and recently I have been liking your posts, your the only one informing these deluded ignorants. :)
20 April 2015, 12:05
97
mowaten don't forget the french lesson CDs included in the boxes hahaha! you remember how you made us laugh so much about how the $4billion was all for language training:)))
20 April 2015, 13:01
913
They finalized this deal more than a hundred times. A few boxes arrive and we see all the smirky faces above.
This aid is more symbolic than it is helpful. Saudis wants Lebanon to know that they control the army with a few ammo crates.
I hope we can resign Qahwaji soon.
20 April 2015, 13:25
117
as usual mowaten you are in denial. the weapons arrive and you still deny it. last time i told you have to do is watch al manar for a week or two and that you'll confirm what I was telling you about hezbollah's non secular islamic agenda ( war montage videos every hour with only the word el wattan not lebanon with no lebanese flags only yellow,all their women are veiled, and have a show where a cleric is expalining shariaa law and how to abide it to Lebanese "callers" not only viewers.
20 April 2015, 13:28
118
and you're not fooling anyone when you reply to yourself as a guest. one click of a button and you post comment as a guest. and walid 121 there was no naharnet 30 years ago people didnt even have internet back then lol you exaggerate like nasrallah when he said there is over 50 million Yemeni people hahahah.
20 April 2015, 09:48
209
The Rafales are nowhere near the top of the list of what the army needs. I am confident that the army can better decide on priorities. $3 billion is a relatively small amount considering the need of the army to meet existing challenges.
20 April 2015, 09:51
209
the army knows best what it needs in contrast to the many self appointed military experts on this site.
20 April 2015, 10:02
208
Each Rafale plane cost $100 million. This does not include armament, training and the human and physical infrastructure needed to support these planes.
20 April 2015, 10:08
208
just out of curiosity: why do we need these rafales for? to fight israel? they have hundred of advanced planes that will shoot down a few rafales.
is it worth it to own such costly planes to have them destroyed in 5 minutes?
enlighten us please?
20 April 2015, 10:17
189
Flame is right the grand dowsnot mean anything unless we have some raffales, sone aircraft carriers, submarines and maybe some atomic and hydrogen bombs...
March 8 guys will always find stuff to complain about, complains are good when productive but this is only to critisise...
Anyway flame u seem really tensed these days, chill, rellax, put almanar they were airing wonderfull song while all other lebanese channels were airing the french grand live.. (I wonder why..)
20 April 2015, 11:06
186
Lebanon could not afford to keep the mirage 3 and had to sell them. In this package deal, lebanon will receive super tucano planes that are well adapted to the army's need and budget capacity. the issue here as eagledawn has pointed it, is that you have time and time argued that neither the arms nor the money will reach the army unless m14 imposes its political will on this country.
you may notice though that m14 is not trying to impose its will on this country on the contrary of M8 who has time and time blocked the public institutions to achieve its supremacy on the lebanese politics.
20 April 2015, 13:25
1012
This is a dark and corrupted day for our beloved LAF, having to accept and shake hands with the same Wahabis, that are responsible for the deaths of our Soldiers in Arsal.
Regardless, we will always love our army, Qahwaji is the one to blame for all this corruption, the Lebanese army receives a few crates, while he receives tons of oiled dollars like the rest of M14. Look at his smirky face, that says it all.
20 April 2015, 13:54
710
is that a martyred huthi jihadi iranian terrorist family in your avatar, God Forbid?
20 April 2015, 15:09
37
At least we have weapons what have your Persian masters given lebanon apart from hatred and sectarianism why don't you go back to your evil persian empire lebanon is an Arab nation you don't belong here
20 April 2015, 15:17
310
you love "our" army yet you call its commander a traitor? I wonder how your love for the army would translate if and when the army stands up to your terror militia...
20 April 2015, 09:54
412
god bless the sudanese president and the swedish prime minister
god bless democracy
20 April 2015, 14:08
86
To our long time Freind, my Stick , nahar net welcomes all those who have no voice, and have more logic and an idea or something useful to add, rather than the sound of guns and shouting, that your beloved, hizb Zbelleh that we all see with astonishment. Freind, My Stick, With great respect to your nice empty words, Lebanese army is a contradiction to Hizb Zballeh or any militia that takes orders from a different entity, here the Hizb Z. An Iranian off shoot from the revolutionary guards, and have to differ abd at many points clash with all Lebanese institutions in ideology, culture, strategic planning, interpretation of laws and here is it Will differ on allowing a strong army that will rival Hizb Z.might and will put it's future in Danger.. For this, since many years Hizb Z.never wellcome the army to close it's border or deploy in the south to stay free with its armament and training camps as a lunching point to other lebanese areas or even other countries.
20 April 2015, 11:33
923
10 boxes of french stuff, paid for by saudis, is what you call getting "closer to being a sovereign state" ? what a joke you guys are.
before we can talk about it you should look up what sovereignty means.
20 April 2015, 12:02
79
when will you get a life mowaten? posting propaganda day in and day out, don't you ever get tired?
20 April 2015, 15:31
46
You look up sovereign, it means no militias who's loyalty is to another country interfering and undermining the state and people of Lebanon. After you look up sovereign look up nationality and loyalty.
20 April 2015, 11:37
138
unfortunately, the christians of m8 believe that is the right way to go by being sub servant to iran and surrendering lebanon's sovereignty. In this manner they believe they can subdue the sunnis in lebanon and their backer ie. KSA. What M8 christians need to understand that they cannot and should not fight the sunnis in Lebanon. They have to come to terms that they should live in good intelligence with them especially that they are moderate and that their allegiance is for lebanon and not for an external arabic cause.
20 April 2015, 12:02
237
These news are music to me ears, but I have noticed that it is cacophony to those who still prioritize the different militias for rent in Lebanon. The Lebanese Army is showing that when given the means, it can deliver, and today Lebanon is getting safer by the day. By default this newfound strength is weakening the very argument of militia owners and their partisans, so much so that their network of yellow trolls have re-busied themselves with thumbing people down. But such thumbing down so virulently means one thing, that things are finally being done right in this country. By the will of God, our army will get stronger day by day to the point where and when the state's will, will no longer be contested by anyone it may be. God is great, the Lebanese Army is great, Lebanon is great!!!
20 April 2015, 14:16
86
To a hidden looser, Lebanese army is welcone all over the places yoy picked carefully, otherwise you have an occupation. ON the other hand, Hizb Zbelleh areas, are off limits to the Government unless or as directed by NASROILSA, via islamic Iranian rev. Guards Generals.
20 April 2015, 13:34
1210
The Hizbul-zbeleh trolls are out in full force. Love it when we can rub their noses in sh*t...
20 April 2015, 15:18
48
The only enemies lebanon has is you Persian Farsi garbage get out of Arab land
20 April 2015, 14:23
74
A big thanks to all the good people on nahar net, I feel proud to be lebanese and share this nice sentiment with the heroes of the armed forces. Another goal from March 14 is under way, Thanks to all the donner countries, KSA, USA, UAE, France, Italy, Germany and above all to all individuals that are behind the seen and to the spirits to our leaders that were martyred to make Lebanon Free. THANK YOU ALL.
20 April 2015, 15:16
00
Why are all you M14 acting like this is a defeat for M8 supporters? I for one am very happy about this. Why wouldn't i be happy when my army is getting stronger specially in those harsh times. If KSA wants to donate money they are most welcome even if they are the ones who created the terrorist problem in the first place, if they wanna help now why not. Now lets convince are cabinet to accept the money Iran has been offering for so long. You M14 supporters pride yourselves in being patriots before anything. Why wouldn't you accept money from Iran, even though you might not agree with them, their money will make your army stronger and your country safer. So please go ahead i would love to hear you cheer for the Iranian aid also. ;)
20 April 2015, 16:19
00
roro, when will @wolf be activated again? when you used to post under his alias you were very powerful. Please, activate him again. We appreciate your votes roro
20 April 2015, 16:46
54
Exactly southern and a new world order will began, with democratic assas, socialist putin, secular khomaini, anti capitalist china and the north korea comrades..
So relax man, take it easy and enjoy the show...
20 April 2015, 17:07
00
The roar stay in Australia and don't say a word you hizbkezeb not going to last long Inshallah
20 April 2015, 17:48
32
It will take ten years to supply the needed weapons!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 April 2015, 18:44
00
Look at those Aounist propagandist crying because our Army is receiving Arms.
Hey Aoun boot Lickers, Lebanese don't give a shit of who gives as weapons. we need to arm our army if it's by the devil or God! we Need Arms.
So go cry to Iran to offer as missiles and we will be happy as well ;)
20 April 2015, 20:45
13
Hizb invited Nusra and IS into Lebanon through their interference in Syria, and then when they killed a few Nusra and IS people on the Lebanese border they go about telling us we should be thanking them because if it were not for them Nusra and IS would have been in M3amelten.
Thank you Hizb for that invaluable lesson in hypocrisy.
20 April 2015, 21:07
01
hello @the_roar, so nice to see you post again as @wolf. We really missed your contribution when you post as @wolf.
21 April 2015, 10:14
11
The Milan which France delivered yesterday , is not a lock & forget rocket ; the Launcher (Soldier) must aim and keep steady until the rocket hits the target.
The delivery was over hyped with a large propaganda , the Lebanese Army needs Ground to Air Missiles , Advance Tanks, and Automatic 155mm Artillery.
The Eurocopter Tiger (EC 665) is a relatively new attack helicopter ; which the Lebanese Army miss such type of attack Helicopters with advance locking system and night vision which can attack tourists gatherings in Mountains behind Rass-Ibalbeek Area.
22 April 2015, 01:37
00
I know this maybe late, but I think the Lebanese should ask the US to supply us with the A-10 Warthogs. These planes are PERFECT for fighting terrorism they can fly very low and have great success with air to ground combat. They would pose no threat to Israel's air defense so Israel lobby wouldn't mind this.
The US is getting ready to mothball these planes to make way for the F-35. It would be a perfect fit for both Lebanon and US.
