Pietton Hopes Truth in Estonian Kidnapping Will Be Revealed

French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton denied on Monday that France had taken a decision to halt military aid to the Lebanese army, noting a contradiction between this matter and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji’s recent visit to the European country.

French sources told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat that French military support for Lebanon would continue and that the decision to suspend a missile agreement with Lebanon was due to the regional situation.

Pietton said after holding talks with Environment Minister Nazem al-Khouri: “Our backing for the army is crucial and we will maintain this support.”

On the kidnapping of the seven Estonian cyclists in Lebanon who were released nearly two weeks ago, he said: “We hope that the truth behind the matter would be revealed and that the investigation would uncover the perpetrators.”

He added that France provided logistical and diplomatic support in the affair.

The seven Estonians were kidnapped in Lebanon in March.

They were later released in July, some four months after their abduction.

Mystery surrounds the circumstances that led to their release.

Regarding the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Pietton said: “We have no fears over it.”

“It has been playing a major role in maintaining stability in the region since 2006 and this cooperation has developed with the Lebanese army’s deployment in the South,” the ambassador said.