Report: Riyadh Informed Paris that it Won't End Contract on Arms Delivery to Lebanon
French officials are hoping to stir the issue of the Saudi decision to halt military aid to Lebanon during the upcoming visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef to Paris, although they have received promises not to break the contract on the delivery of French arms to the Lebanese army, a source said.
The French source told pan-Arab daily al-Hayat published on Tuesday that the crown prince, who is also interior minister, will visit France on March 4.
“Paris is also looking forward for the efforts exerted by the Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Awad Asiri, to convince the Saudi leadership to review its decision,” he said.
The Saudi government confirmed on Monday that it has stopped all military aid to Lebanon.
There are deals worth $4 billion aimed at equipping and supporting the Lebanese army and security forces.
One of the Saudi-financed deals is worth $3 billion under which France would provide arms and equipment to the Lebanese army.
In April, Lebanon received the first shipment of the $3 billion worth of French arms to boost the country's defensive capabilities to combat terror threats, along its northeastern border in particular.
France was expected to deliver in the coming months and years 250 combat and transport vehicles, seven Cougar helicopters, three small Corvette warships and a range of surveillance and communications equipment as part of the $3 billion modernization program.
The contract also promises training for the 70,000-strong Lebanese army and 10 years of equipment maintenance.
But the Saudi decision brought the delivery of the remaining weapons and equipment to the Lebanese army to a halt.
The military is in dire need of aid because since the conflict in neighboring Syria broke out in 2011, Lebanon has faced mounting spill-over threats, first from the millions of refugees pouring across the border and increasingly from jihadists.
According to al-Hayat's source, Riyadh confirmed to French authorities that the contract signed between Saudi Arabia and France will not be annulled and that the arms and equipment would be manufactured and stored.
But Paris has expressed concern that the Saudi decision to halt the deals would encourage political parties that are affiliated to Hizbullah to further control Lebanon, said the source.
The French Foreign Ministry spokesman, Romain Nadal, said on Monday that Paris “continues to engage in dialogue with the Saudi and Lebanese authorities for the purpose of protecting Lebanon.”
“France's commitment to protect Lebanon from the repercussions of the situation in the region is part of our Middle Eastern strategy,” he added.
The Saudi aid halt came after Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil declined to support Saudi resolutions against Iran during two meetings of Arab and Muslim foreign ministers. Bassil is the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, which is one of the strongest allies of the Iran-backed Hizbullah.
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