France, Saudi Arabia Finalize Arms Deal for Lebanese Military

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

Saudi Arabia and France inked on Tuesday in Riyadh a deal to provide the Lebanese army with $3 billion worth of French weapons, with Riyadh footing the bill.

The deal, first announced in December, comes as the Lebanese army is battling gunmen and jihadists, including from the Islamic State group, in the north and along its northeastern border with war-torn Syria.

Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji attended the signing ceremony at the Royal Palace in Riyadh after an almost 11-month delay.

The Lebanese army will be able to purchase French weapons under the $3 billion deal financed by Riyadh at the beginning of the year, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported on Monday.

The daily said that Saudi Minister of Finance Ibrahim bin Abdul Aziz al-Assaf and the head of ODAS company Admiral Edouard Guillaud, will sign the deal on behalf of their countries in the presence of French Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bertrand Besancenot.

ODAS is the French agency in charge of promoting defense sales in Saudi Arabia.

In December, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia agreed to finance the $3-billion package of French military equipment and arms for the Lebanese army.

And in mid-June, at a conference in Rome, the international community pledged its backing for the Lebanese military.

Saudi Arabia had also pledged to grant Lebanon a $1 billion aid for the army.

Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil on September 10 urged the international community to present a "common front" against the Islamic State group, saying his country was "impatiently" waiting for the French-made weapons.

H.K.

G.K.

Comments 8
Missing greatpierro 04 November 2014, 13:26

Facts please

Thumb ado.australia 04 November 2014, 13:52

On the day that the Lebanese armed forces receives the arms from the Saudi grant, I will praise and thank them! Until that day, we all know that we have heard this before.... From Russia, ksa, France, UAE etc! Only the USA has provided small arms and logistical supplies and arms. No advanced or heavy weapons have or will be provided to the LAF becoz of Israeli veto and pressure, or because of Bedouin lies. This is historical fact!

I hope that this time I am wrong and I'm thanking ksa and France!

Thumb ex-fpm 04 November 2014, 14:25

On the day that the Lebanese armed forces receives the arms from the Saudi grant, I will praise and thank them!

I don't think you ever will thank them, even if you see the weapons paraded on independence day.

Thumb ado.australia 04 November 2014, 14:49

Then let us see ex fpm. I hope I am humbled for Lebanon's sake.

Thumb ado.australia 04 November 2014, 14:57

anonymetexasusa... I acknowledge and I'm thank full for the USA donations to the LAF! If you think they are advanced or heavy modern day weapons than I am embarrassed for you.

Talk apache attack helicopters, surface to air missiles, m1a1 Abram tanks, artilleray or radar systems, then I will agree! But 1960s military equipment are not advanced or modern weapons!

Thumb ado.australia 04 November 2014, 17:52

You are missing the point tex. Russia has offered or agreed to provide the LAF with mig29s, mi21 attack helicopters etc etc! Hariri arranged for the migs and then elias murr changed it to the helicopter. What have been recieved? Nothing! Anything advanced or modern, that could threaten the IDF is vetoed! Lebanon will recieved nothing except arms that the IDF can destroy in a blink of the eye. the Leb government cannot buy or recieved for free. Which results in the LAF fighting with me hand behind their back, struggling to hold together a republic being torn apart from every foriegn and regional power.

Missing --karim. 04 November 2014, 16:35

Hehe yes yes, I'm upset that the Lebanese Army is getting a "boost". That's why I always offer support to the LAF and say "God bless the Lebanese Army" in many posts, while you and the other fanatical salafists on this site cheer for Al Nusra.

Thumb ex-fpm 04 November 2014, 16:43

Why not have a signing ceremony when Lebanon actually receives the weapons?
because it will not be a signing ceremony but a "receiving" ceremony.