The purchase of French weapons funded by a Saudi donation to beef up the Lebanese army’s capabilities to combat terrorism has been prioritized and delivery should be imminent, according to the French Foreign Ministry.
Roman Nadal, spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry, said delays in completing the purchase transactions did not imply that there were obstacles impeding the supply of the army with the arms it needs from France.
“The transaction is not problematic but requires a certain number of formalities and procedures. France has reaffirmed its support to Lebanon’s unity and stability and we are currently finalizing this partnership benefiting the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Nadal said in a statement released late Tuesday.
Concerning a rumored Israeli veto on the supply of certain “controversial” weapons to Lebanon, Nadal said the ministry “had no such information.”
He argued that the deal “is an important transaction which necessitates a complex procedure in order to be implemented.”
“We should make sure that the proposed means (weapons) are effectively those requested by the Lebanese army. I believe that implementation is imminent. We are actually about to complete the procedure,” Nadal said.
He said France strongly condemned the beheading of two Lebanese soldiers at the hands of ISIS militants and was committed to support the Lebanese institutions and army which are “the guarantors of the country’s unity.”
“The killing of the two soldiers is a terrible crime that shows once again the brutality of this organization," he said. “[Such a crime] reinforces our determination to mobilize the international community for counterterrorism [efforts]."
The two slain soldiers were captured alongside at least 27 of their colleagues from the military and security forces during clashes with militants from the Nusra Front and ISIS in Arsal last month.
