Report: Saudi King Awaiting Presidential Polls to Sign Arms Delivery Contract
The singing of a contract between France and Saudi Arabia to provide Lebanon with military assistance is being delayed over a political decision linked to the Lebanese presidential elections, Saudi sources said.
The sources told An Nahar newspaper published on Wednesday that it was up to Saudi King Abdullah to sign the contract but the delay was caused by a “political decision” linked to the outcome of the polls.
The issue is “no longer technical,” the sources said.
Lebanon has been without a president since May when Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended with MPs unable to find a successor over their differences on a compromise candidate.
A $3 billion Saudi grant to the Lebanese army was announced under Suleiman's tenure in December.
Last month, French diplomats said Saudi red tape had delayed the Lebanese army's purchase of the French weapons under the $3 billion deal financed by Riyadh.
But Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asiri denied the accusation, saying the $3 billion was awaiting the spending mechanism and hinged on the final deal between Lebanon and France, meaning between the seller and the buyer.
French Foreign Minister spokesman Romain Nadal said Tuesday: “We are putting the final touches on the contract.”
“The delivery of the military equipment needs time,” he added.
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