The French Minister of Defence, during an interview he gave to the newspaper “L’Orient Le Jour”, revealed that France will send dozens of armored vehicles to the Lebanese Army, so that it can properly carry out its patrols in the country, in cooperation with the UN UNIFIL forces.

Following a visit to the country, Sebastien Lecornu said that it was vital to strengthen the Lebanese Army, so it could coordinate properly with the United Nations peacekeeping force as tensions rise between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Their cooperation with military equipment will be expanded, especially for the transport of soldiers with armored protection, which is essential to continue patrolling, the Minister said, adding that several dozen armored vehicles will soon be delivered to the Lebanese Army.

Support to the Lebanese Army is long-term, whatever the current difficulties, Lekorni underlined. Paris will also deliver medical supplies, establishing a joint program for the future purchase of such supplies at reasonable prices for the Lebanese Army, he said.

France has sought to use its historical relationship with Lebanon to attempt to de-escalate the tension between Israel and Hezbollah, but the violence has peaked. About 700 French soldiers serve in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which was established in 1978 after violence erupted on the Israel-Lebanese border.

Hezbollah, a Shiite Muslim militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and other countries, wields enormous power in Lebanon, whose economy is collapsing and its state machinery is barely functioning.

Lebanese leaders fear that the Hezbollah-Israeli conflicts may become major.

With information from: APA MPA

Also read: Lebanon | Political chaos after the Government’s resignation and the President’s departure