BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug 14 (NNN-NNA) – Lebanon’s Defence Minister, Elias Bou Saab, announced a strategy, aimed at funding the Lebanese army’s needs with subsidised loans from Italy, France and other countries, the army’s monthly magazine reported.
“Several countries will offer subsidised loans to Lebanon, to equip the Lebanese army and enable it to protect the economic zone, while extracting oil and gas in this area,” Bou Saab said.
Bou Saab noted that, the visit of French Defence Minister, Florence Parly, earlier this month, aimed at accelerating the process of these loans.
He added that, these loans need to be approved by the cabinet and parliament.
The United States is usually the biggest provider of military aid to Lebanon. The Lebanese army received a total of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in military aid from the U.S. since 2006.– NNN-NNA
