French Delegation in Lebanon to Finalize Weapons Deal
A French delegation arrived in Lebanon for a number of meetings with related officials to finalize the specific military needs of the Lebanese army under the Saudi grant.
The delegation comprises 30 representatives of the French state and the military industry and they are in Lebanon to finalize what kind of arms its army needs from the Saudi grant's remaining 150-300 million dollars, the An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday.
The daily revealed that “the delegation was able so far to specify the kind of arm supplies needed for the ground, navy and air brigades.”
France will provide the military with the arms it needs at the current stage and what is compatible with its requirements in the future.
It will provide it with two kinds of helicopters, two kinds of military battleships and several ground-to-ground missiles, air-to-air missiles in addition to short and medium-range missiles, the daily said.
France and Saudi Arabia signed the agreement at the beginning of November for Paris to provide the Lebanese military with the $3 billion worth of weapons paid for by Riyadh.
The deal, which was first announced last year December, aims to boost the army as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in Syria.
D.A.
G.K.
over 9 years
4 billion dollars yea right. Where is that 1 billion dollars or the 3 billion dollars promised over a year ago. Stop embarrassing yourself dude.
over 9 years
We've heard this one before. Let it happen instead of all this talking.
over 9 years
We're talking of $BN4, we're talking of the LAF, we're talking of the last final lingering doubts that may have floated till recently over the LAF, we're talking of tough negotiations, finally we're talking that our beloved army will get its weapons that will give it a lot better means to do a sterling job even better. We're talking especially about a time when no one willo dare challenge our troops anymore and end all forms of speculation that a resistance now turned villain is here to shoulder the LAF. There comes a time when myths are busted, and that time is now drawing closer. No one depended on a militia, any militia and found a future, no one tuned his back on his national army and found a future, but he who saw the wisdom of a strong army lived, and lived in peace, prosperity and hope. Long live the LAF and down with speculators and ill-wishers.
over 9 years
You are a ill wisher phoenix, you said yourself that the LAF cooperates with the Resistance. The only villains here, is your beloved LF that claims to be true christians, but doesn't give a damn about the people. All you care about is pleasing your American Israeli masters.
over 9 years
Oh no dear dear Mystic. Me bad guy as in LF bad guy? Habibi, if there was no LF, Lebanon would have long gone to either Syria, Iran, or the Palestinian substitute state courtesy of your good friends the USA. But yes of course, the LF, ahhh these terrible guys, these bad guys, they are here to spoil the party for anyone who wishes to sell or give away Lebanon to foreigners. Now we're even spoiling the presidential party for the old Dino Aboul Mish Aoun, so of course dear Mystic, would I have expected anything less from you? But I never said that the ex-resistance was helping the army, NO, I said that some are speculating so and that makes a substantial difference you see?
over 9 years
Phoenix, you claimed to have supported the resistance in the earlier years. Which i really much doubt, as you being a LF supporter and all.
Why not just say it clear and simple? You want the Lebanon for Israel to control, just like Israel controls Jordan. It will never happen Phoenix.
It is a distortion to claim, LF and Kataeb is the reason for Lebanons integrity. Actually your people were about to sell Lebanon to USA, in the early 80's but thank heavens it never happend.
You say i am a friend of USA, whilst i've condemned the country on every single article here related to it.
Only friend of the U.S and Israel, are you guys. As you gladly took arms from them, with a good nod, and slaughtered women and children with no remorse.
over 9 years
(1). Mystic dear Mystic, I am now of the belief that this debate with you is bothering on the funny, OK, calm down a little and I kindly urge that you take me seriously. Yes, I am LF, from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes, full LF, the true Lebanese resistance that fought and gave so much martyrs so that Lebanon will not disappear, a Lebanon where the Christians will live head high as equals. Two: Make no mistake, I am a nationalist, a moderate one, so yes, don't be surprised that being an LF resistance person, I supported Hezbollah even when you guys called it the Islamic Resistance, to me I wanted Israel out of my country more than you guys wanted it out, so yes, I supported your sacrifices and that lasted till 2005.
over 9 years
(2). Mystic. When Sayed Hassan made that notorious declaration on March 8 of his support of Syria after the brutal assassination of Rafic Hariri to be followed by more assassinations, then in July 2006 got us to war with Israel, then to war on the side with Bachar Al Assad, plus all the whitewash thereafter till now, do you reasonably expect moderate people like me top continue supporting Hezbollah? You guys are supporting the NO:1 traitor of Lebanon, the army deserter par excellence, the man who accused HA of Hariri's assassination in the US senate, none other than Aoun. The Aoun who is now with your support impeding the election of a new president, you hijacked my National Day, got my army soldiers to die because of your interference in Syria, today you guys got your boys exchange with the terror group yet left our soldiers in captivity.
over 9 years
(3). Mystic. Some time ago, even a singer could not land because one of his jet engine parts was made in Israel, man, for God's sake, what are you people, class A and we class B? Today kind of got me to my last drop of patience with the release of two Shiites yet left the rest to rot, why?! Mystic, if I, a seasoned and hardened LF fighter, yet a very moderate Lebanese citizen who always sees Lebanon First, if I, such a moderate person is now losing his patience with your so-called resistance, what about the rest of the Non-Shiite Lebanese population?
over 9 years
(4). Take me as your gauge of national sentiment towards Hezbollah and please stop this lame argument with me, you know how much I attach respect and affection for you, but don't exaggerate. I still see you as my Lebanese sibling, I still see you as a national partner, but your grammar is now beginning to stale bad. I am no pro this or that, I just want a Lebanon where we can ALL live together in peace, prosperity as equals under the same and one law. You people have unsurpassed every law now and that sits badly with me. Right now you are showing a profound malaise with the truth, that Hezbollah is indeed behaving no better than both Syrian and Israeli occupiers, thank God we never got Iranian occupiers, but your HA has done ample example of that already. Sorry, I am sincere and frank with you, enough ba2a.
over 9 years
You are a very good actor, I will give you that. Some of us actually believed you had a little sense of neutrality in you. You are indeed LF, which are not a resistance, but death squads. They do not know anything about honor.
I doubt you would like to see Lebanon in ruins, without Hezb interference in Syria, that would indeed have happend.
Nothing is wrong with Aoun, he is a realistic leader, he too fought the Syrian army, and so did the Resistance in the civil war. Now we think realistic, we do not bear grudges as you do.
The war in Syria is not only about the overthrow of the government, but a takeover of the whole region. I guess you do not care about that, since you live in the West safely from it all. The rest of us cares though.
over 9 years
I got my reasons for using a new tone with you phoenix, you have also changed your rhetoric. I do not see you any different than the rest of the M14 minions in here anymore.
Your provocative comments are my prove of that.
over 9 years
to phoenix1-Why do you use the photo of Bashir Jemayel or even like this person? He's the 1 who split the Maronite community when he murdered Toni Franjieh, his wife & daughter, not to mention 31 other Christian Maronites?!! Why do you like this person when he was the 1 who ordered the Safra massacre against his friend Dan Chamoun & the National Liberals?
over 9 years
ground-to-ground missiles, air-to-air (we don't even have fighter planes), But No ground-to-air. Israel can relax now.
over 9 years
The finalisation of the weapons deal for the umpteenth time! How many more times will we read about this finalisation? Y'all ah already !
over 9 years
Accounts, Bashar has long since lost the war, right now he is only trying to hold on to what he can. There was once upon a time when Syria was helping the so-called resistance, now look how things have changed, it's the so-called resistance helping its master, but of course, we are aware that a lot bigger players are bailing our Bachar and the name of Putin is not so anonymous.
over 9 years
**Bailing out Bachar...**
loooooooooooooool 7elwe mennak @merkin