High-ranking Military Delegation in Moscow Ahead of Arms Deal

A high-ranking military delegation kicked off a visit to Moscow to discuss with Russian officials the needs of the army and security forces, al-Joumhouria newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The talks between the Lebanese army officials and their Russian counterparts is expected to pave way for a deal with Rosoboronexport, the sole state intermediary agency for Russia's exports/imports of defense-related products, the daily said.

The high-ranking delegation has met with the representatives of the agency on the types of weapons, arsenal and equipment that the army and security forces need in their battle with terrorists, said the report.

Al-Joumhouria quoted sources close to the Rosoboronexport as saying that Moscow has made an offer to the delegation to sell it the Kornet, a Russian anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) under a recently announced $1 billion Saudi grant.

The Russian officials also proposed the sale of advanced tanks and weaponry, the sources said.

They added that Moscow is ready to provide the necessary assistance to Lebanon in both the military and technical fields.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq was in Moscow last month to discuss the deal to buy the arms for the military and police.

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