Lebanon – Rome II conference in support of the Lebanese security forces – France’s contribution (15 March 2018)
Jean-Yves Le Drian took part in the conference in support of Lebanon’s security institutions yesterday in Rome. During the conference he reaffirmed France’s strong attachment to Lebanon’s stability, security and sovereignty, as well as its determination to help strengthen its army and its internal security forces.
France will open a €400 million line of credit to allow the Lebanese government to purchase French military equipment. This equipment is intended for the Lebanese army and the internal security forces. It will notably help create the Lebanese army model regiment. The creation of this model regiment is key to strengthening the Lebanese army’s presence in the southern part of the country, to which France contributes within the framework of UNIFIL.
These loans will be complemented by new transfers of French military equipment, accompanied by training for Lebanese troops, amounting to €14 million in grants, in line with the €30 million plan for the transfer of military equipment initiated in 2016.
Lastly, France will increase its close and long-standing bilateral cooperation with Lebanon by 15% in 2018.