{France said on Wednesday that a $3 billion contract to provide weapons and military equipment to the Lebanese army with Saudi Arabian financing could now go ahead after all sides had agreed on the deal.}
“All the work is done,” Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament. He added that President François Hollande had confirmed the conclusion of the deal to Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri at a meeting on Tuesday. “The President told Mr Hariri yesterday that the conditions to fulfil the contract had been met.”
Analysts regard overhauling the Lebanese army’s equipment as crucial for the stability of the country, as conflict in Syria and Iraq threatens to spill over its border.
The tripartite arms procurement plan was agreed in principle last December, but differences over the details have delayed it, meaning it could not be signed during a visit by Saudi Defence Minister and Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud last month.
Following his meeting with Hollande on Tuesday, Hariri had said he was confident the deal was nearly concluded and expected developments “within days”.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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