Military Denies Receiving 'Substandard' Arms Shipments
The army denied on Wednesday a report saying that the military received weapons under two grants by Saudi Arabia that are below the standards.
“The report is completely false,” the army command said in a communique.
The statement stressed that the army didn't receive until this date any weapons or military equipment as part of the two grants.
“Media outlets should be careful when publishing such reports and inquire the military institution beforehand to clarify obtained information,” the army added.
An Nahar newspaper published in its issue on Wednesday a report saying that countries which signed a deal with Lebanon to deliver arms to its military to better equip it have handed over arms shipments that are substandard.
The army, so far, only received old equipment, the daily reported.
An Nahar said that the two grants by Riyadh to boost the capabilities of the army are part of a one billion dollars and three billion dollars grants are below expectations.
Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri made a surprise visit to Lebanon to announce that Saudi Arabia has provided Lebanon's army with one billion dollars in aid.
In December 2013 Saudi Arabia had granted three billion dollars for the purchase of arms from France for the benefit of the Lebanese army.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement in November to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
The Lebanese army is generally seen as a unifying force in Lebanon, and draws its ranks from all of the country's sects. But it has struggled to contain the escalating violence since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict.
Reports in November said that Paris will begin delivering weapons to the Lebanese military in the first quarter of 2015.
H.K.
G.K.
Source: Naharnet
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