Exchange of Accusations in Delay on Arms Delivery under Saudi Grant

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Saudi red tape has delayed the Lebanese army's purchase of French weapons under a $3 billion deal financed by Riyadh, diplomatic officials said despite a denial by Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri.

As Safir daily on Tuesday quoted the highly-informed French diplomatic sources as saying that the military assistance to Lebanon, which was announced by Saudi King Abdullah last December, was delayed after Riyadh put restrictive conditions.

Saudi authorities introduced a clause in the protocol that there would be a penalty on any side if it receives a commission on the purchase of French weapons, equipment and ammunition, the sources said.

A second clause imposes another penalty if the same weapons were sold to another country with lower prices, they added.

As Safir quoted an official at the French presidential palace as saying that the Saudi administrative routine is responsible for the delay in striking the deal to assist the Lebanese army and security forces.

But Lebanese officials and Asiri denied the claim, without giving much details.

The diplomat told the newspaper that the $3 billion is “awaiting the spending mechanism and hinges on the final deal between Lebanon and France, meaning between the seller and the buyer.”

The role of the funding party comes after the deal is struck, Assiri said.

The fighting between the Lebanese army and jihadists in the northeastern border town of Arsal prompted army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji to urge France to speed up the delivery of weapons.

His appeal was followed by the announcement of ex-Premier Saad Hariri of a new $1 billion in Saudi aid.

Al-Joumhouria newspaper said Tuesday that Lebanese security officials handed Hariri a list of their agencies' needs.

It quoted security sources as saying that the list included weapons and advanced equipment that were asked for under the $3 billion grant.

Part of the $1 billion grant will be handed to security agencies in cash to buy weapons and arsenal worth $500 million, the sources and Lebanese officials said.

The officials told As Safir that the new military assistance will not witness a delay like its predecessor. Its results will start appearing as soon as the cabinet approves it, they said.

G.K.

H.K.

Comments 16
Thumb ex-fpm 12 August 2014, 08:27

Lebanon and Lebanese corruption are world renowned.

Missing zakariah 12 August 2014, 09:18

what's the point? -- That we can get worse?

Missing zakariah 12 August 2014, 09:19

Fair conditions... and I'm pleasantly surprised they are put in. -- We're not used to this in our part of the world.

Missing ghzayel 12 August 2014, 09:30

meanwhile the fanatic islamists are still in jroud 3ersal, the lebanese army still counting the dead, wounded and missing and our beloved corrupt officials are still trying to make a fortune out of this misery what a shame !!!

Default-user-icon AnonK (Guest) 12 August 2014, 09:35

conditions sound fair. and if this truly "aid" as France has said, why do they want commission? they are already getting paid for the weapons

Missing ghzayel 12 August 2014, 09:36

damn right!!!

Missing ghzayel 13 August 2014, 06:58

I guess the idiots who gave me -18 didn't read my post and or support the corrupt officials.to those I say: corruption my friends is as bad as da3esh and it will destroy lebanon in the long run. no wonder why you cant have any reforms in lebanon???!!!

Missing lqu7 12 August 2014, 10:14

Our corruption will destroy us before any Da3esh-like group.

Missing ysurais 12 August 2014, 11:47

we will never see any arms.. we are meant to stay weak in this country. it is just bs n crap as usual, some drugs/morphine to z old dying lebanon. we only welcome all z refugiees of the world including all terrorist/s that their respective country/s of origin does not desire them.

Default-user-icon admirer (Guest) 12 August 2014, 15:46

you are so funny, I always log on just to read your comments;) keep 'em coming!

Missing imagine_1979 12 August 2014, 11:50

Yes what a shame, democratic modern and secular islamic republic of iran provide dirrectly to hezbos and probably other on payrole... That's a lot better than saoudi grant to the army via sleyman or saad... Indeed dear southern, bravo..
Or maybe u do prefer choukrann qatar style..
Man please get ur head out of ur arse and go have a chupachups...

Missing imagine_1979 12 August 2014, 11:52

Reminder La france hosted khomaiini before his glorious return to the dear democratic, secular and modern islamic republic of iran...
now u can calm down, and now maybe: vive la france with a "labayka ya nassralah..."
Really time for ur chupachups southern..

Default-user-icon admirer (Guest) 12 August 2014, 15:45

looool flamethrower, do you have a twitter account I can follow with your amazing screencaps or something? GET ONE PLEASE!

Thumb geha 12 August 2014, 16:23

not secretly!
they have been against this grant to the armed forces since the beginning.
although they say the contrary, they do not want the armed forces to be equipped properly so that there would be no use for their masters hizbushaitan.

these guys are s stupid and childish that they are playing the voting games once more: 30 votes in an hour :) so childish!

nobody is with them so they fabricate false votes for their stupid comments. let us hope this makes them happy and they will stop insulting others :)

Thumb Bandoul 12 August 2014, 18:32

Oh wow, the M8 terror support brigade is in full swing today and its multiple fake accounts must be laid off from their regular job and hanging on every single article on Naharnet. Pathetic.

Default-user-icon Pontiquo Fatrabij (Guest) 13 August 2014, 02:06

Dandoul, do you want a job at Naharnet? They could use a few Sanni lunatics. The pay is good, but be aware that explosive belts are prohibited, so keep them for other more pressing anti-murtaddin occasions. Can you possibly control yourself?