French Officers in Lebanon to Train Army
A high-ranking French military delegation is expected to arrive in Beirut on Friday to commence training of Lebanese army personnel on the use of weapons to be delivered by Paris under $3 billion Saudi grant.
According to al-Joumhouria newspaper, the delegation will stay in Lebanon for a long time as the “deal requires a specialized follow up by France.”
A military source told the daily that “Paris is keen to deliver the Lebanese army the requested arms in accordance with its staunch support to Lebanon and an international decision to boost the capabilities of the military.”
The source noted that the “Saudi grant is in the process of implementation after the army and the French company that is in charge of delivering arms to Lebanon finalized the deal.”
The source pointed out that “the arms delivery will extend to a three-year period.”
On Wednesday, a meeting was held in Yarze between Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and a prominent official from the French company ODAS, which is in charge of promoting defense sales in Saudi Arabia, and the accompanying delegation.
A military source said in comments to al-Mustaqbal newspaper that a “specialized committee was formed from the two sides to coordinate the arming of the military institution.”
“The arms that the French company will deliver to Lebanon are new and not used.”
The source continued: “The zero-hour to equip the Lebanese army began on March 2.”
Saudi Arabia in 2013 announced it would give the Lebanese army $3 billion to purchase weapons and equipment from France.
In August, the kingdom offered another $1 billion in funds to allow the army to purchase supplies immediately.
Several allies of Lebanon pledged to step up efforts to bolster its armed forces as the threat from jihadists in the region grows.
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