Zasypkin: Saudi Grant was an Incentive to Revive Russian Military Assistance to Lebanon

Russian Ambassador Alexander Zasypkin revealed that Moscow decided to provide Lebanon with military assistance promised four years ago after it was encouraged by the Saudi grant to Lebanon.

“The Saudi grant was an incentive to revive the Russian grant and put it on the move,” Zasypkin told An Nahar newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday.

Asked whether the Lebanese army and security forces would buy Russian equipment under the Saudi pledge, the diplomat said: “Partly. I can't give more details.”

Riyadh announced a $1 billion grant in August after jihadists from the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front entered the northeastern border town of Arsal from the Syrian side of the border and engaged in heavy clashes with the army.

The gunbattles left scores of soldiers dead and injured. The militants also took with them hostages, two of whom were beheaded.

Saudi Arabia is already financing a $3-billion package of French military equipment and arms for the army although bureaucracy has slowed down the procedure.

Zasypkin refused to provide further details on a trip that Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq is scheduled to make to Russia.

Asked if the army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji would accompany him, the ambassador said that the negotiations between Moscow and the two Lebanese officials are independent.

Reports have said that al-Mashnouq is expected to visit Moscow this month to sign a deal to buy military equipment for the Internal Security Forces.

They also said that Qahwaji's agenda includes the activation of the Russian grant that was announced in November 2010 and which includes providing the Lebanese army with helicopter gunships, tanks, cannons and ammunition.

G.K.

H.K.