The discussions and statements of Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Moscow showed his keenness on providing Russian military support for the Lebanese Armed Forces.
This support comes in two phases, according to the discussions. The first phase is ensuring maintenance and ammunition for the Russian weapons used by the Lebanese army, including tanks and rocket launchers and other. This phase also includes requests to replace some Russian tanks with more advanced ones.
According to sources, the second phase depends on evaluating the needs of the Lebanese army and then looking for means to provide the weapons, whether through grants or soft loan-based programs.
However, former Defense Minister Elias al-Murr mentioned US barriers that could emerge regarding Russian armament of the Lebanese army.
In this regard, well-informed sources said that there is a training and armament program in effect between the Lebanese and US armies, adding that US monitors are present in Lebanon to oversee the use of the weapons.
The sources added that the Americans prefer to restrict the armament in their hands, in order to control its quality, pointing out that any additional armament to the Lebanese army must be previously coordinated with them.
For more details, watch the full report in the video above