Lebanon receives first part of French military equipment

Lebanon received today the first batch of French armaments under a Saudi-financed deal worth US$3 billion to boost the country’s defensive capabilities.
The handing over ceremony was held at Beirut Air Base and attended by Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sameer Muqbel, French Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Awwad Assiri, and the Army Commander, General Jean Kahwaji.
Sameer Muqbel, in a statement at the ceremony, re-affirmed the need for the weapons to resist terrorist groups and enforce peace on the borders.
Jean-Yves Le Drian said that France was supplying the Lebanese Army with armored vehicles, helicopters, artillery and border surveillance equipment.
Ali Awad Asiri said that the Saudi donation is a message of support to the Lebanese Army and country’s leadership, and the donation comes in the context of friendship that binds Saudi Arabia with Lebanon and its people.