Qahwaji Thanks France for its Concern over Bolstering Army’s Capabilities
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji returned to Lebanon on Friday after a four-day visit to France where he met with a number of French military officials including Chief of Staff Edouard Guillaud, reported the daily An Nahar Sunday.
The Army Command said in a statement that Qahwaji toured a number of French military bases, with talks with French officials focusing on the French unit in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and bilateral ties between the two armies.
The French military command voiced its “completer trust” in the Lebanese army’s role in protecting Lebanon’s interest and stability.
It also stressed that it would follow through with agreements with the Lebanese army and its commitment to provide it with the necessary training and logistical aid.
For his part, Qahwaji thanked the French military for its “concern over bolstering the army’s capabilities and its commitment to the historic ties between the two sides.”
He added that the Lebanese army will respond “firmly” to any attempt to harm UNIFIL, noting that fears over the international troops’ safety are “unwarranted.”
French military authorities have made a warm reception for Qahwaji “to show French interest in supporting Lebanese institutions and mainly the military,” pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported Saturday.
French sources told the newspaper that a decision to freeze the implementation of an agreement to transfer missiles to the Lebanese army was due to the regional situation and mainly the turmoil in Syria.
The decision was also linked to a follow-up of the Lebanese cabinet’s commitment to international resolutions, they said. France continues to cooperate with Lebanon and support it militarily, the sources added.
Guillaud said Thursday night that Lebanon is similar to a “treasure” for France.
He was speaking at a dinner banquet thrown by Lebanon’s ambassador Butros Assaker in Qahwaji’s honor.
Guillaud expressed surprise that Qahwaji’s “visit was the first for a Lebanese army chief to France since 1942.”
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