Report: French Officials to Visit Beirut to Close Weapons Purchase Deal
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A French delegation is expected to visit Beirut this week for further talks with the Lebanese army command on the purchase of French weapons under a Saudi grant.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement last week for Paris to provide the Lebanese military with the $3 billion worth of weapons paid for by Riyadh.
The deal, which was first announced last year December, aims to boost the army as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
According to As Safir daily, the French military and technical delegation will discuss with Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji and other high-ranking officers the implementation of the agreement.
During the meetings, the Lebanese army officials are expected to specify the remainder of weapons and ammunition they need, said the report.
It added that the army has not yet informed France what kind of arms it wants from the Saudi grant's remaining 150-300 million dollars.
As Safir quoted a French official as saying that the negotiations require no more than 50 days to close the purchase deal.
Lebanese sources also told the newspaper that Iran's announcement that it is ready to provide aid to the Lebanese army triggered a speedy deal between France and Riyadh.
G.K.
H.K.
13 November 2014, 13:07
02
I agree with you Southern, if the French want to keep dragging their feet, let's go and get Russian weapons, nowadays they are as good as any other weapon made in the West. What truly angers me is that the LAF have proven their mettle, cohesion and unity well beyond any doubt, the LAF is engaged in a perilous war against the most horrifying and evil terrorists ever and the LAF is wining this war. The LAF is the one singular constitutional institution of our land that is definitely keep the nation glued together and now it is going after the law-breakers in the land. What else do they want, the LAF must get all the weapons they need and at the very earliest time if it is to continue doing a highly demanding job. Stop the foot-dragging, NOW!
