Change and Reform Welcomes Saudi Donation to Army 'in Principle'
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Change and Reform parliamentary bloc on Monday announced that it welcomes the Saudi donation to the Lebanese army “in principle,” wondering if the kingdom will impose certain conditions on Lebanon following this move.
“We consider the Saudi donation to the army as a declaration of intent and in principle, we welcome any assistance to the army because it is the pillar of security and stability and the mind and heart of all the Lebanese,” said MP Ibrahim Kanaan after the bloc's weekly meeting in Rabieh.
On Sunday, President Michel Suleiman revealed that Riyadh has decided to earmark three billion dollars to purchase French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
“Until we know the details of the Saudi initiative and whether or not it has certain conditions, we welcome this initiative in principle,” Kanaan noted.
Turning to the issue of the stalled cabinet formation process, Kanaa said “the formation of a new cabinet is an important issue and it needs a consensual decision because it is important to return to constitutional work."
"We want what the Lebanese interest requires. We want to bring people together not to increase the rift. Moving from a caretaker cabinet to another caretaker cabinet will only worsen things," Kanaan noted.
Commenting on reports that Suleiman and Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam might form a so-called "neutral" cabinet, the lawmaker said: "We do not want to put preconditions, but we must listen to our conscience and the Lebanese interest before anything else."
"Our policy is a policy of understanding, not a policy of conflict, and for once we must reach a Lebanese-Lebanese understanding," said Kanaan.
Separately, he stressed the need to refer the crime of former minister Mohammed Shatah's assassination to the Judicial Council, but underlined that that must happen "according to the legal norms."
Shatah, his bodyguard and six other people were killed Friday in a powerful car bomb attack in downtown Beirut that wounded dozens others.
30 December 2013, 18:11
62
Uff getting some brains?... I really hope so, they so have great people in tayyar... Or they use to... Anw hope we all be back on the same track.. Bassil can keep the millions he got since becoming a minister (first let's hv a state then we will deal with corruption, and not enough places in jail now anyway)... So please some common sence and back on trac... I still doubt that a lot, anyway...
30 December 2013, 18:45
07
In principle, everything that comes from the outside has strings and cables attached.
30 December 2013, 18:48
54
Saudi Arabia is driving home it's recent change in demeanor vis the US. As well as Iran. Heretofore there were plenty of skeptics as to whether they will follow through on their recent political approach change and with the $3B to our armed forces they appear to be driving the point home. That was money that usually went to the Americans but now the French are the beneficiary.
Mind you, one does not think much of the Saudi political structure nor is it expected to last very long. That said, the Saudis appear to have found their backbone. Whether that change is permanent remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the arms for our armed forces are definitely a welcome turn of events.
30 December 2013, 19:30
26
This offer of 3Billion dollars in weapons will sift M8 into 2 parts between
1- those who genuinely like Lebanon and are waiting for a stronger army to forgo the so called "resistance"
2- Those who dont beleive in lebanon as a country and who are using the army's lack of weapons (as well as chebaa farms and jerusalem and... and... )as an excuse to keep the chiite milica weapons.
The FPM is category 1.
Most of HA is category 2.
31 December 2013, 01:51
30
leb1st is totally right, i think HA will lose its christian cover...
30 December 2013, 19:34
22
southern. What if the condition is to defend Lebanon against Assadist planes bombing it. Would that condition be acceptable for you?
Dont answer the standard answer that FSA is hiding in Arsal. If Assad wants to control the insurgents, he can do it in his country. Lebanon is off limit for him since we are a sovereign country.
30 December 2013, 19:46
71
I wonder why they don't ask the same question when Iran wants to donate and help, there's no difference between a white dog and a black one, they're all dogs, same thing applies to humans it's give and take in return, but as they say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder
01 January 2014, 02:03
00
After Saudi donated to the Egyptian army , 25 Egyptian fighter pilots were sent to Syria to help the regime with training and advice. Agypion stock rockets are also being used recently by the Syrian army.
You people keep defending your great leaders.
