Cabinet Approves Plan Worth $1.6 Billion to Properly Equip Army
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Cabinet approved on Wednesday a 1.6-billion-dollar plan to properly equip the Lebanese army, Information Minister Walid al-Daouq said.
The payments will be made over a five-year period and the plan calls for providing the military institution with proper arms and equipment.
Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn stated: “All sides were in agreement over the army plan.”
A defense agreement between Lebanon and France was approved by the cabinet amid objections by some ministers, al-Daouq said in his briefing.
Media reports said that the ministers of Amal and Hizbullah had criticized it.
The cabinet session, headed by President Michel Suleiman, was held at the Baabda Palace.
The recent kidnappings in Lebanon were also the focus of discussions among the ministers, with the heads of security agencies being summoned to the session.
The session was preceded by a closed-door meeting between Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati.
Lebanon has been lately witnessing a spree of abductions of wealthy businessmen.
The kidnappers are either setting the men free after the payment of ransom or releasing their captives after the mediation of some officials.
The army set free on Wednesday Fouad Daoud in Baalbek, less than a week after his abduction.
One of the latest abductions and releases also took place earlier this week when the brother of the head of the Bakeries Association Youssef Beshara was kidnapped on Monday.
He was held for ransom and released on Tuesday in exchange for $400,000.
19 September 2012, 19:19
11
Fix the electricity with that money, the $1.6 billion will be lost in 1 day against any foreign army
19 September 2012, 20:06
22
Its thanks to Chief of staff Jean Qahwaji the army is getting proper equipments after his visit to London and tbe U.S ofcourse with the blessing of the White House. The near is end for anyone who harmed suspected of harming or attempted to harm our beloved Lebanon,what goes around comes around Mr Assad,mullahs of iran and clerics of saudi arabia.
19 September 2012, 20:07
21
Its thanks to Chief of staff Jean Qahwaji the army is getting proper equipments after his visit to London and tbe U.S ofcourse with the blessing of the White House. The near is end for anyone who harmed suspected of harming or attempted to harm our beloved Lebanon,what goes around comes around Mr Assad,mullahs of iran and clerics of saudi arabia.
19 September 2012, 20:09
21
Its thanks to Chief of staff Jean Qahwaji the army is getting proper equipments after his visit to London and tbe U.S ofcourse with the blessing of the White House. The near is end for anyone who harmed suspected of harming or attempted to harm our beloved Lebanon,what goes around comes around Mr Assad,mullahs of iran and clerics of saudi arabia.
19 September 2012, 20:09
21
Its thanks to Chief of staff Jean Qahwaji the army is getting proper equipments after his visit to London and tbe U.S ofcourse with the blessing of the White House. The near is end for anyone who harmed suspected of harming or attempted to harm our beloved Lebanon,what goes around comes around Mr Assad,mullahs of iran and clerics of saudi arabia.
19 September 2012, 20:10
63
For what?
These 1.6 billions would end up lining the pockets of many while the army, even with better arms, would remain ineffective under the current parallysis in the government.
I rather have electricity.
19 September 2012, 20:26
00
Cabinet Approves Plan Worth $1.6 Billion to Properly Equip Army
19 September 2012, 20:31
14
1600000000 divided by 5 is about 266 million a year. That will buy the army some shoes and guns, and if they are lucky mabye a few night vision goggles. Nothing to be excited about
19 September 2012, 20:37
10
We need a proper air force and anti-aircraft missiles, mostly! Hope they'll be getting that and not something else. 1.6 billion is not too much for air equipment, but might be enough.
19 September 2012, 21:29
13
FT- good idea the cannabis thing... let us legalize its agriculture and criminalize its use... This way we become an exporter :-)
For the army, if it well spent on equipment, it is worth it. I am against increasing public spending, especially for country clubs of officers and maids for wives. But i have a feeling we are on a good thing here.
19 September 2012, 23:07
02
If anyone cares, this is the first time that Lebanon will be buying weapons since 1983. Yes, for the first time in 29 years.
But I guess people are more interested in in pointless comments in here, not to forget the boring March 8 vs March 14 BS.
Let's give some support to the army. Our border with Syria will be very volatile for many years to come and we need some decent arms to protect our land and citizens.
20 September 2012, 02:38
01
$1.6 Billion is better than nothing. This also sets a great precedent, that if the money is spent well and there are results from this injection of cash, more will follow. Good to see the ministers approving something that benefits all Lebanese for a change.
20 September 2012, 09:35
00
Government should ask for donation of arms for the army, not wast money they could use to feed the poor in Lebanon and build up proper power supplies for the Lebanese. If France etc. are serious by arming the Lebanese army, why then not donate deterring missile systems that would keep the zionists and Syrian war planes out of Lebanon? As fellow commentators said, it will only increase the Taboule and Hommus plate size for the soldiers and buy new apartments, watches and cars for the high ranks.
20 September 2012, 11:06
01
Sure the army needs the money... but first, give us electricity, water, decent roads, a sewer system...
There is no global vision...
20 September 2012, 16:57
00
Property tax is already pretty high, beleive it or not. They should put tax on big cars, fast cars, and cigarettes.
The wife of joe doe should drive a honda civic like in France. not necessarily a range rover. Range rovers should cost 150,000USD.
Fast cars (ferraris) are being registered in dubai to escape taxes.. There is a loophole in the system
Cigarettes are the biggest purchase of syrian laborers in lebanon. It is the best way to tax syrian workers.
21 September 2012, 08:27
00
It is apparent u don't live in lebanon. Property tax kicks in at higher value apartments, and is a major expense. And I am talking abt daribit el amlak almabniyyeh, payed yearly to the state
