France Affirms Commitment to Backing Lebanese Army

France stressed on Monday that it will continue to back the Lebanese army and provide it with the needed military training, the state-run National News Agency reported.

The French statement came in a meeting between President Michel Aoun and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Presidential Palace in Baabda.

“France will continue to support the Lebanese army in commitment to the pledges made by the French President. France will also increase the military training courses it provides for the army,” said Le Drian.

After talks with Defense Minister Yaaqoub Sarraf later in the day, Le Drian emphasized France's commitment to a "well-organized and robust Lebanese armed forces."

But there were no specifics on the reactivation of a frozen French military aid package, funded by Saudi Arabia, for the Lebanese army.

In January, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he was confident the $3-billion aid package would be restored after Riyadh halted it last year.

Saudi Arabia said it had halted the aid to protest the power of Hizbullah over the Lebanese state.

But there have been hopes the aid might be restored, with Aoun, an ally of Hizbullah, visiting Riyadh in January and agreeing to new talks on the issue.

Aoun's office said he had thanked Le Drian on Monday for "the support provided by France to Lebanon in all fields, especially in the military field."

Aoun expressed hope for "the continuation of this support to enable the army to carry out the national responsibilities on its shoulders, particularly in the areas of security and stability in the country, and the fight against terrorism."

Le Drian also met with Speaker Nabih Berri and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Monday and is expected to meet Prime Minister Saad Hariri later.

His trip will also include a visit to French members of the U.N. peacekeeping force UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.