Bassil Says Arab Foreign Ministers Approved his Plan to Back Lebanese Army
Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil announced on Sunday that a meeting of Arab foreign ministers held in Kuwait approved a plan he had presented aimed at bolstering the Lebanese army.
He said via Twitter: “The foreign ministers agreed to support the army in its resistance of Israel and battle against terrorism.”
This entails bolstering it financially and providing it with the necessary equipment in accordance to international initiatives, he added from Kuwait.
The plan will also seek to support the Lebanese government to that end, explained Bassil.
“There is a calamity and the Lebanese people are besieged by spiteful terrorism from which only Lebanon's army can liberate them, which would consequently protect you from its spread,” Bassil said, addressing the Arab foreign ministers.
“Lebanon's strong army can be the army of the entire Arabs in their confrontation against terrorism and a strong Lebanese army would pave the ground for a strong Lebanon,” Bassil added.
He noted that the Arab nations are facing a “major challenge” in the “joint battle” against terrorism.
“Lebanon is its first arena, whether it chooses this or not, and this will not change if it dissociates itself or if it engages itself” in this battle, the FM went on to say.
“I ask you to start your journey with backing Lebanon's strong army and I thank you for seeking an Arab Summit resolution that confirms the contribution of all states to this issue,” Bassil added.
The Arab foreign ministers held their meeting in Kuwait ahead of the two-day Arab League summit that will kick off on Monday.
President Michel Suleiman is scheduled to take part in the talks.
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