Time Ripe for Iran’s Military Aid to Lebanon: Analyst
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A senior Lebanese political analyst said Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut off funding for military aid to Lebanon has provided a suitable opportunity for Beirut to accept Iran’s offer of military aid.
Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Amin Hotait, a retired Lebanese army general and an expert in military and strategic affairs, said it is now a perfect situation for Beirut to consider Iran’s plans for providing a series of military items it had already pledged to offer to the Arab country as a gift aid.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to stop providing financial support for the Lebanese army on the one hand and the removal of anti-Iran sanctions on the other have left no excuse for Beirut to not accept the Iranian military gift aid, Hotait stressed.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday it has halted a $3 billion program for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hezbollah group fighting in support of Syria’s army.
Lebanese Defense Minister Samir Moqbel said in reaction that Iran’s initiative to arm the Lebanese army is now more seriously raised, because anti-Iran sanctions were removed in mid-January.
The Lebanese government should now take a political decision, Moqbel said, urging the administration not to miss the chance for the arming of Lebanon’s army in their fight against terrorist challenges.
Members of the Saudi-backed March 14 coalition in Lebanon had pressured the government not to accept the aid, arguing at the time that it would violate international sanctions against Iran.
Back in October 2014, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said the country has prepared a series of military items to be dispatched to Lebanon as a gift in order to help the Arab country in fighting against Takfiri terrorists.
Dehqan said that the weapons would be delivered to Lebanon at Beirut’s request.
Lebanon is an influential country in regional security and has a special position in Iran’s foreign policy agenda, the minister explained.
That’s why the Islamic Republic is resolved to support the Lebanese nation and government and help equip that country’s army, he added.
Dehqan reiterated that Tehran is prepared to train the Lebanese armed forces and convey its experiences for the battle against Takfiri terrorists, including the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.
Moqbel said at the time that Iran’s gift for Lebanon’s army is “unconditional”, but his country’s cabinet should handle the legal procedures for the arms delivery.