BEIRUT: Conditions to implement a multi-billion dollar contract to supply French weapons to Lebanon are now favorable after the formation of a new government in Beirut, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said on Thursday.
Speaking in the Lebanese capital after meeting President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri, Ayrault said it was also more important than ever that the new authorities keep up dialogue with Saudi Arabia and Iran to ensure the country was not dragged into the Syrian conflict.
“The conditions are favorable,” Ayrault told reporters during a visit after the formation of the new government on Sunday. “The sun is shining again on Lebanon.”
The equipment was to be supplied by France to bolster the army in its fight against terrorist groups. Ayrault said he and Aoun would soon travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss the contract and wider ties.
“Everything must be done to keep Lebanon out of the Syria conflict,” Ayrault said. “We want Lebanon to keep dialogue with all its regional neighbors, including Saudi Arabia and Iran.”
Lebanon’s President, Michel Aoun, and Prime Minister Saad Al-Hariri have formed a new government of 30 ministers drawn from most sides of the country’s political spectrum and from all of its religious sects, the Cabinet office said on Sunday.
French FM says conditions favorable to supply weapons to Lebanon
French FM says conditions favorable to supply weapons to Lebanon
