Lebanon’s president has reportedly asked Saudi Arabia to restart a $3 billion aid package to the Lebanese army, in an attempt to bolster the country’s military capabilities with essential funding from the Gulf kingdom.
In an interview with the television channel Asharq on Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun revealed that he would ask Saudi Arabia “if it is possible to reactivate the grant” worth $3 billion to Lebanon’s military, emphasising his hope for the strengthening of economic and political ties with Riyadh.
“I hope and I await from Saudi Arabia – and especially the Crown Prince – to correct the relationship in the interests of both countries,” he said.
The funding was cut off back in 2016, reportedly due to Lebanon’s failure to condemn attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. On a broader scale, it was also related to Hezbollah’s widespread influence throughout Lebanon.
Having served as commander of Lebanon’s army before he was elected president on 9 January, Aoun’s expected request to Saudi Arabia was due to be delivered to Riyadh upon the Lebanese president’s visit to the kingdom yesterday – his first to be carried out in his term. Nothing regarding the request and its result have yet been announced yet.
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