Suleiman: Defense Strategy Beginning to Take Shape through Saudi Grant to Army
President Michel Suleiman hailed on Monday Saudi Arabia's grant to the Lebanese army, hoping that the international community will continue to support Lebanon's stability.
He said after a meeting with the diplomatic corps: “A national defense strategy is beginning to take shape through the Saudi grant.”
“Lebanon requires the support of foreign powers to achieve stability and encourage local powers and influential countries to distance the country from regional developments,” he added.
The president revealed in late December that Saudi Arabia has decided to donate three billion dollars with the aim of purchasing French weapons for the Lebanese army as soon as possible.
Commenting on local developments, Suleiman pledged to hold the presidential elections and avert political vacuum, saying that Lebanon relies on foreign powers to support it to achieve this goal.
“I am certain that the international community will support these efforts in order to preserve the country's democracy,” he remarked.
Suleiman's six-year term ends in May.
The ongoing differences between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a number of issues, including the formation of a new government, are raising fears that the elections may be postponed.
Addressing the efforts to form a new government, Suleiman told reporters after his speech: “The cabinet will not be established in the next 48 hours.”
“The weekend will be decisive over this matter,” he remarked.
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