Report: French Defense Minister in Lebanon in April to Oversee first Shipment of Weapons to Army
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is scheduled to travel to Lebanon in April to oversee the first shipment of weapons to the Lebanese army as part of a deal with Saudi Arabia that was reached in 2014, reported al-Mustaqbal daily on Saturday.
It said that the minister is set to arrive in Lebanon on April 20 for a two-day visit.
He will oversee the first shipment of arms and hold a series of meetings with a number of officials, including Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.
Saudi Arabia and France inked the weapons deal, worth $3 billion, in Riyadh in November.
It also includes training programs for the Lebanese army run by the French military.
It aims to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain the rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in neighboring Syria.
M.T.
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