Report: Halted Arms Grant Will be Delivered to Saudi Arabia
The French weapons that were supposed to be given to the Lebanese army as part of a Saudi grant will be delivered to Saudi Arabia after the donation was halted last month, the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat quoted sources on Saturday.
French diplomatic sources following up closely on the Lebanese file and the Saudi decision that halted a $4 billion grant to the Lebanese army and security forces told the daily that they “understand” Riyadh's position in light of the “fabrications of Hizbullah” and believe that the “Lebanese government’s official decision is confiscated by the party.”
“The weapons contract signed with French companies will continue and the companies will not be harmed by the aid suspension,” unnamed French sources told the daily, pointing out that the French Defense and Foreign Ministers were on a mission to Riaydh in that regard.
They added that the production of arms will continue under the Saudi deal and that they will be delivered to Riyadh instead of to Lebanon.
They pointed out that with regard to the arms deal here, Riyadh is the "decision maker" about what to do with these weapons in accordance with the developments that could emerge in Lebanon.
They concluded saying that Paris respects the Saudi decision.
Later on Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir confirmed the reports and said: “Our army will receive a batch of French weapons that were initially ordered for Lebanon.”
Saudi Arabia has halted a $4-billion military and police funding program for Beirut in response to what it said were "hostile" positions linked to Hizbullah, and for failing to join other Arab nations in condemning attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran last month.
Source: Naharnet
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