France sending weapons to Lebanon

French supplies of armaments will be arriving in Lebanon in the middle of April under a French-Saudi Arabian deal to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities.

According to the French Ministry of Defense, it will supply Lebanon, a "state friend of France," with armored vehicles, armed vessels, combat helicopters, ammunition and communications equipment.

Training courses will also be introduced by French forces for the Lebanese army under the first phase of the program.

"Faced with threats to the stability of Lebanon, the Lebanese Armed Forces must be modernized, equipped and trained to defend the integrity of this state friend of France," the ministry said.

Saudi Arabia is financing the equipment. Riyadh last year committed to a $3 billion plan to help strengthen the Lebanese Army.

Lebanon shares a border with Syria -- an ally of Iran -- where the group calling itself the Islamic State has a strong presence and where the government is combating various rebel groups.

In other news, a Beirut newspaper says Lebanon recently received 30 tanks and 12 howitzers from Jordan. The supply of weaponry by Jordan was first announced two weeks ago by Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk during a visit to the Jordanian capital, reported The Daily Star.