Asiri Says Saudi Grant to Army Based on Deeds Not Words
Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri has said that Riyadh's pledge to assist the Lebanese army in December was not mere ink on paper.
“I will reiterate to (army chief) Gen. Jean Qahwaji Riyadh's support for the Lebanese army,” Asiri told As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday.
“Saudi Arabia has gotten used to deeds and not words. The Saudi grant for the army through France is an additional proof,” he said.
Qahwaji on Tuesday urged France to speed up the promised weapons supplies to help his troops.
Last December, Saudi Arabia agreed to finance a $3 billion deal to purchase military equipment and weapons from France for the Lebanese army, which has long complained of being sorely under-equipped.
Asiri, who leaves his post within a week, told As Safir that Saudi King Abdullah's telephone call to ex-President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday “is a serious and firm evidence that the kingdom backs the Lebanese army and the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.”
Abdullah pledged that the kingdom would try to accelerate the delivery of weapons under the $3 billion deal.
He also expressed Riyadh's support for Lebanon and its military, Suleiman's office said in a statement.
Asiri told As Safir that the Lebanese political parties should deal with the latest developments with firmness and unity.
They should also support the army, he said.
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