Qahwaji Signs Detailed Lebanese-French Agreement on Equipping Army
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji on Tuesday signed a detailed agreement for equipping the army as part of the Saudi military grant to Lebanon.
“Gen. Jean Qahwaji inked the detailed Lebanese-French agreement on equipping the Lebanese army, as part of the grant offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said a statement published on the army's website.
Al-Mustaqbal newspaper had reported on Sunday that head of the ODAS company Admiral Edouard Guillaud was scheduled to return to Lebanon this week in order to place the “finishing touches” of the Saudi-French arms deal.
It said the French official was scheduled to arrive in Lebanon on Tuesday to make the final signatures of the deal ahead of its implementation.
The first shipment of French weapons, part of the $3 billion deal, is expected to arrive in Lebanon within the next two months.
Guillaud had signed last week with Qahwaji the first phase of the Saudi-French deal.
He later traveled to Saudi Arabia for the signatures of Saudi officials.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the arms agreement at the beginning of November for Paris to provide the Lebanese military with the $3 billion worth of weapons paid for by Riyadh.
The deal, which was first announced in December 2013, aims at boosting the army as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
In August, head of the Mustaqbal Movement MP Saad Hariri unveiled Saudi Arabia's $1 billion grant to the Lebanese army, which is aimed at assisting it in its fight against terrorist groups.
Y.R.
24 December 2014, 02:22
00
till after the drawing of the new frontiers,it seems that france is in the game
24 December 2014, 04:42
32
3+1 = 4000,000,000 Billion US Dollars worth wapons to the national Lebanese army, Not like buying toy guns from 3amo abou ali from the corner. Most of the weapons have to agreed on and manufactured, trained on then will be delivered.
24 December 2014, 08:48
00
4 billion dollars yea right. Where is that 1 billion dollars or the 3 billion dollars promised over a year ago. Stop embarrassing yourself dude.
24 December 2014, 09:55
00
I wish that all the negatives and pessimists people on this blog to change. Merry Christmas and mabrook LAF
24 December 2014, 11:37
34
I don't mean to rain on your parade flamethrower, but could you give us the readers of the forum a recap of the 45 previous finishing touches. I am particularly interested in finishing touch #17...
24 December 2014, 12:09
22
It may surprise many as to how many are working their every strength to defeat the arms deal with France. But the deal, as slow, arduous and cumbersome as it may seem is still going ahead, though the pace may not please everyone, but if one only knew of the intricate and in-depth details engaged in keeping the weapons as accurately inventoried and tracked, then one would appreciate what is going on. The army is getting stronger by the day, the potency it is now demonstrating is prodding the civilians in government to act on their responsibilities as expected, hence the good work as shown by the honorable minister Abou Faour, now emulated by others. Even though we are not under martial law, but as the army grows in strength, so does it change the mentalities of people. Everyone now knows for sure, the ONLY salvation of Lebanon rests in the hands of a strong Army and nothing else but the army.
24 December 2014, 12:36
30
I think Commander Qawaji has signed this paper so many times, the ink of all the pens, must soon be gone.
24 December 2014, 13:54
01
Mystic my dear, neither you nor I can be witnesses to what anyone has signed thus far. To make remarks over a signature or signatures will remain insignificant where it pertains to this matter. Please, no disrespect meant to you, but knowing your being an ardent if not unquestioning proponent and partisan of Hezbollah does in many ways expose that inner wish so many of you have over the army's expansion and growing potency. Well, to people like me, it does equate to a strong army equals no more room nor excuses for any militia, resistance or other, the time is dawning for a different Lebanon to be freed from all armed factions except for the constitutional armed forces of Lebanon. Anyway brother, this is my very best wishes for you, your loved ones and all the good folks at Hezbollah HQ. We remain after the same people.
24 December 2014, 16:22
21
Phoenix none of us has ever, denied the armys wish to become stronger. But fact is, this false deal never happens. We see it everyday now. You aswell. The Army & Resistance are the same army already, the resistance takes the heavy punches in Syria, while the army oversees internal affairs. We all want the army to be able to counter Israel, when that day happens and all ties with USA are broken. Then there will probaly be a total new army. Forged with the Resistance, but your love to the West phoenix, is one of the reasons the army will remain weak. Merry christmas to you too
24 December 2014, 16:26
01
the beauty of it all is none of the politicians made a penny from this deal. what i say is khedoooo ya nesabeen. 4 billions worth of weapons and no one made a penny. what a glorious day in Lebanon this is. it is the begining of a new dawn ....... maybe I am being too hopeful.
25 December 2014, 03:25
10
Also, buying a HOUSE requires from me to sign over 100 pages here where I live. I don't find it one bit odd for the Army General to have to sign few pages for a $3billion dollar deal.
25 December 2014, 03:26
10
3anjad sha7ad wo msharat... You are getting $3 billion dollars of military equipment to strengthen your national army to be able to defend your country and uphold your dignity and all you do is complain of it's slowness how it's a pipe dream. You should be ashamed of your despicable selves. It takes YEARS for this kind of huge deal to be put in effect, inspected from every aspect of it, selecting the most needed weapons, and agreeing on the logistical parts of it. Grow up and show some appreciation for Saudi Arabia and France to getting this done you ungrateful idiots.
25 December 2014, 08:56
00
How many signatures does this deal need to get the support needed?
28 December 2014, 18:10
00
100000000000 signatures to go for concluding part 1 of 99! I am sure we will see the weapons in Beirut once we have an acting president. But the real question is who that president is and where will they find him?!?! for sure not in Lebanon.
