France to Deliver Arms to Lebanon Under Saudi Deal at Beginning of Year
The Lebanese army will be able to purchase French weapons under a $3 billion deal financed by Riyadh at the beginning of the year after Saudi and French officials ink the contract on Tuesday, the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat reported.
According to the newspaper published on Monday, Saudi and French officials will sign the deal at the Royal Palace in Riyadh after an almost 11-month delay.
The deal was announced under former President Michel Suleiman's tenure in December 2013.
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.
Al-Hayat reported that Saudi authorities invited Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to attend the signing ceremony.
French sources told the daily that his country will start delivering arms to the Lebanese military at the beginning of the year.
Saudi Arabia had also pledged to grant Lebanon a $1 billion aid for the army.
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