Lebanon gets first shipment of $3B worth of French arms
Lebanon received the first installment of $3 billion worth of French weapons paid for by Saudi Arabia on Monday, part of a four-year plan to help arm Beirut in its battle against jihadi groups.
The handover ceremony held at Beirut's international airport was attended by Lebanese and French defense ministers and top army officers.
The deal aims to boost Lebanon's military as it struggles to contain a rising tide of violence linked to the civil war in neighboring Syria.
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the deal will include dozens of armored vehicles, six transport helicopters and other types of weapons. He added that the next shipment will arrive in May.
