Saudi Arabia $3bn grant for Lebanese army

(Vatican Radio) Lebanese President Michel Sleiman announced on Sunday that Saudi Arabia has undertaken to support the Lebanese army to the tune of $3bn. During a televised address to the nation, Mr Sleiman said “the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is offering this generous and appreciated aid of 3 billion dollars to the Lebanese army to strengthen its capabilities”.

The address was broadcast shortly after the funeral of senior Lebanese politician Mohamad Chatah, who died on Friday in a car bomb attack. Mr Chatah was a Sunni Muslim and a staunch critic of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as of Lebanon’s Shia Hezbollah movement which currently backs him. Hezbollah militants are suspected of organising the attack, although no one has yet claimed responsibility.

President Sleiman added the Saudi aid will allow the Lebanese army to "confront terrorism", and will be used to buy weapons from France. French President Francois Hollande, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia aimed at boosting commercial ties, said his country will "meet" any demand for weapons.

Saudi Arabia’s proffered aid is being seen by many as the latest move in a regional war by proxy between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran exerts a strong influence on the Syrian conflict, and its spill-over into neighbouring Lebanon, through the Shia militant group Hezbollah and its support for Syrian President Assad, while Saudi Arabia is backing the majority-Sunni rebellion. Sunday’s announcement comes amid concerns that this donation of military aid could further inflame sectarian tensions.

Listen to Giulia Cirillo's report: