French Chief of Staff: Hezbollah’s weapons are an internal affair

The French Chief of Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud said that France’s decision to reduce the number of its troops in the UNIFIL by 400 will be implemented gradually as of next April until the end of the current year.         

During a small press session held at the Pine Palace in Beirut, Guillaud said that this step is not a unilateral French decision but the result of coordination with the U.N. and the LAF. He said that the financial factor has nothing to do with it given the U.N. finances UNIFIL. “The UNIFIL’s mission will not be altered since it would require a UNSC resolution”, he said.         

Guillaud stressed France’s commitment to cooperate with Lebanon at the defense level, adding that French military aid to the LAF amount to 2 million euros annually. “The Lebanese Army Commander General Jean Kahwaji must open new training centers engaging enlisted LAF soldiers, not only officers”, he said.         
Guillaud voiced his fear of an increase in the numbers of Syrians fleeing to neighboring countries. Yet, he ruled out any dramatic reflection of the Syrian crisis on South Lebanon.               

On Hezbollah’s weapons, Guillaud said that it is an internal affair, reminding all parties that members of Hezbollah are part of the current Lebanese government.