France, Lebanon Reach Agreement over Arms Deal after Tough Negotiations
Negotiations between Lebanon and France over an arms deal reached a settlement after difficult discussions concerning the prices, which exceeded what was expected, local newspapers reported on Tuesday.
“French authorities placed tough financial conditions and prices for the arms beyond the expectation,” a source said in comments published in As Safir.
The source pointed out that the conditions set by France don't comply with its pledges to facilitate the matter.
“France didn't facilitate the negotiations,” a source told the newspaper.
A French source said that authorities will hand over the arms to Lebanon in a period of three to six months.
The newspaper reported that Saudi Arabia are overseeing the negotiations between the two countries as they are insisting that Lebanon should attain developed monitoring and surveillance equipment to control its border with Syria.
A diplomatic source told An Nahar newspaper that “some observers rejected the deal and are seeking to defame it by stating fabricated statements.”
President Michel Suleiman revealed in late December that Saudi Arabia has decided to donate $3 billion with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
France had reportedly proposed selling Lebanon used equipment despite a pledge by French army chief-of-staff Edouard Guillaud during talks with Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji in Saudi Arabia to provide the army with all its needs.
Italy is set to host in March a conference that aims at fortifying the capabilities of Lebanese Armed Forces and easing the Syrian refugees crisis.
The conference will be held on two levels – military commanders of several countries, and foreign and defense ministers of the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council in addition to Italy, Germany and Spain.
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