Ayrault Says Forming Cabinet Positive Signal to Activate Saudi Army Grant

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated that the Saudi grant to provide Lebanon with French weapons has not been reactivated as yet, and that the Lebanese need to send a positive “political signal” through the formation of a new cabinet to reactivate it, media reports said on Monday.

“The signal to reactivate the grant will not rise from the Saudi side but should initially originate from the Lebanese through the formation of their government,” Ayrault told An Nahar daily in an interview.

“The issue will not be solved until the political aspects related to it are solved. We are confident that the Lebanese will be able in the end to form a government. For our part, we will continue in our role and efforts as facilitators to accomplish all these entitlements,” added the Minister.

Stressing France's continued support for the Lebanese army, Ayrault said: “It constitutes a unity factor and brings the Lebanese together from all sects and affiliations.”

Ayrault renewed France's continued support for Lebanon and hailed its efforts that resulted in the election of a president.

He concluded voicing hopes that PrimeMinister-desigante Saad Hariri succeeds in lining-up a new cabinet.

In February 2016 Saudi Arabia halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hizbullah's policies and diplomatic stances by the Lebanese foreign ministry.

The $3 billion program financed military equipment provided by France.

Lebanon received the first tranche of weapons designed to bolster its army against jihadist threats, including anti-tank guided missiles, in April 2015 but the program then reportedly ran into obstacles.

Alleged leaders of Hizbullah are under sanctions by Saudi Arabia.

Hizbullah is supported by Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran, with whom relations have worsened this year.

Riyadh cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in January after demonstrators stormed its embassy and a consulate following the Saudi execution of a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric and activist.