French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, second left, and Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel, left, stand in front of French weapons during a ceremony at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday. — AP
BEIRUT — Lebanon received the first installment of $3 billion worth of French weapons paid for by Saudi Arabia on Monday, part of a four-year plan to help arm Beirut in its battle against militant groups. The handover ceremony held at Beirut's international airport was attended by Lebanese and French defense ministers and top army officers. The deal aims to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in neighboring Syria. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the deal will include dozens of armored vehicles, six transport helicopters and other types of weapons. He added that the next shipment will arrive in May. The deal also includes training programs for Lebanese troops run by the French military. “Lebanon's victory against terrorism is a victory to all nations threatened by terrorism,” Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel said. A Lebanese army general told reporters that Monday's shipment included modern anti-tank guided Milan missiles, saying they will be a “turning point” in the army's performance. The Lebanese army has been fighting members of the Daesh (the so-called IS) group and Syria's Al-Qaeda branch, the Nusra Front, mostly in areas on the border with Syria. In August, militants crossed from Syria into the Lebanese border town of Arsal, capturing more than 20 soldiers and police officer. Daesh and Nusra Front militants have killed four of the captives and still hold the rest. “The Lebanese army paid a high price in Arsal and France helped and will help Lebanon so that it does not slip into chaos,” Le Drian said. — AP
