Qahwaji Visits Riyadh on Official Visit to Discuss Saudi Donation to Military Institution
Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji on Friday left for Saudi Arabia on an official visit to discuss the kingdom's grant to the military institution.
"Qahwaji received an invitation to visit Saudi Arabia and he will discuss with Saudi officials the country's support and grant to the army,” reported the state-run National News Agency.
"A military delegation accompanied the army chief on his visit,” the NNA added.
Qahwaji was in Paris earlier this month for talks with top French military officials two weeks after President Michel Suleiman announced a Saudi pledge of $3 billion to buy military equipment from France.
Suleiman had revealed in late December that Saudi Arabia has decided to donate three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
French President Francois Hollande, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia during Suleiman's announcement, said his country would "meet" any requests from Lebanon.
Officials concerned with Lebanese affairs in the French administration told Naharnet on January 20 that the Saudi donation will include weaponry used for military and security sources to enable troops to face terrorist and security challenges in the country, and arms and equipment to monitor the border.
Source: Agence France Presse
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/116680 |